THE OPERATION AND SAFETY OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

This paper reviews the provision and operation of pedestrian crossing facilities, in the United Kingdom, both at junctions and at mid block. Pedestrian casualties for 1991 are considered together with previous studies which have assessed the safety of pelican and zebra crossings. Available evidence confirms that a high proportion of pedestrian casualties at pelicancrossings are associated with incorrect use of the facility. Pedestrian delays at crossing facilities are compared with those for other roadside locations. Simulation results are presented demonstrating a bias, in current operating practice, towards optimising vehicle movement with vehicle delay usually substantially below the delay imposed on pedestrians at signalcontrolled crossings. It is shown that, except when vehicle flow is veryhigh, the majority of pedestrians will increase their delay by using signalled pedestrian crossings. The paper proposes changes in the operationalstrategy and timings of both free standing and linked signal systems. The proposed changes are designed to decrease pedestrian delay and hence improve pedestrian safety by reducing pedestrian misuse of crossings. (a) For the covering abstract of this conference see IRRD abstract no. 861222.