Modeling Pedestrian Crossing Behavior and Safety at Signalized Intersections

Abstract

Pedestrian noncompliance behavior is one of the most critical causes of pedestrian involved traffic crashes at intersections in India. Thus, the objectives of this study are to examine how various factors affect pedestrian crossing behavior and to propose models for pedestrian crossing behavior and level of safety at signalized intersections which will be useful to regulate pedestrian flow. The data were collected with video and a user perceptions survey at six selected signalized intersections in Mumbai, India. The differences between pedestrian crossing behavior with respect to personal characteristics, socioeconomic attributes, and existing crossing facilities were identified using Pearson correlation and odd ratio tests. Furthermore, the major reasons for noncompliance behavior were obtained by analysis of field data to prevent noncompliance behavior and enhance pedestrian safety. The results showed that a significant number of the pedestrians violated the traffic signal to save time and for convenience (46%). A binary logit model was developed to evaluate the impacts of contributing factors on pedestrian crossing behavior. Further, an ordered probability model was established to evaluate and estimate the pedestrian level of safety at signalized intersections. Two models were validated, and their statistical results show that the models predict the pedestrian crossing behavior and safety level more precisely. Developed models and study outcomes can help transport planners and designers understand pedestrian crossing behavior on crosswalks at signalized intersections and thus create a safer crossing environment for all pedestrians.

Crosswalk Utilization by Pedestrian: Perception versus Reality - Case Study of New Delhi

“…Old pedestrians suffer from lack of mobility, so they might face hardship in walking an additional distance to crosswalk locations; hence prefer to cross the road as per their comfort and Education is found to have a significant effect on crosswalk compliance as higher education level is associated with an increase in crosswalk compliance. The result is similar to the results obtained in Mumbai [33]. In terms of employment status most crosswalk compliance is reported from students and least from home makers.…”

Risk Perception of Vehicle-to-Vehicle Vendors and General Pedestrians: A Comparative Study

“…Koh et al examined pedestrians’ crossing behaviors at signalized crossings and found that people crossing with a companion were 246% less likely to take a risk than those crossing alone ( 26 ). Similar studies used multiple linear regression and binary logistic models for assessing pedestrian behavior at signalized and unsignalized intersections ( 27 – 29 ). Education, occupation, crosswalk length, and so forth, affected crossing behavior; grouped crossing was riskier than individual crossing, and pedestrians were less cautious while crossing at signalized intersections.…”

Modeling of Pedestrian Flow Density in Signalized Intersections Using Fuzzy Method (Case Study: Rasht City)

“…Pedestrians usually have more complex behaviors than vehicle drivers due to personal characteristics such as gender, age, number of group members, type of clothing, fewer legal restrictions, and greater freedom in movement and route choice [6,7]. Also, pedestrian decision-making is complex and influenced by various factors, so modeling pedestrian behavior has always faced serious challenges [8,9].…”