AUTOMATED PEDESTRIAN DETECTION USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH STANDARD PEDESTRIAN PUSH BUTTONS AT SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS

Automated pedestrian detection systems provide the means to detect the presence of pedestrians as they approach the curb prior to crossing the street and then use that information to "call" the WALK signal without any action required on the part of the pedestrian. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether automated pedestrian detection systems, when used in conjunction with the push button, would result in fewer overall pedestrian/vehicle conflicts and fewer inappropriate crossings, such as beginning to cross during a DON'T WALK signal. Before and after video data were collected at intersection locations in Los Angeles, California (infrared--IR--and microwave), Phoenix, Arizona (microwave), and Rochester, New York (microwave). The results indicated that the use of automated detection devices in conjunction with the standard pedestrian pushbutton resulted in a significant reduction in vehicle-pedestrian conflicts as well as a reduction in the number of pedestrians beginning to cross during the DON'T WALK phase. Differences between microwave-based and IR-based devices were not significant. Detailed field testing of the microwave equipment in Phoenix revealed that fine tuning of the detection zone is still needed to reduce some false calls and missed calls.