Citation

Herms BF. Highw. Res. Rec. 1972; 406: 1-13.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1972, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This is a report of a study of pedestrian accident experience at unsignalized intersections and whether it is less in marked or unmarked cross-walks. Accident experience covering a 5-year period was studied at 400 intersections, each having one marked and one unmarked crosswalk crossing the main thoroughfare. In addition, pedestrian and vehicle traffic characteristics were studies to determine the pedestrian's relative use of marked and unmarked crosswalks and his exposure to vehicular traffic. The results show that during the 5-year period 177 pedestrians were hit in the 400 marked crosswalks compared with 31 pedestrians hit in the 400 corresponding unmarked crosswalks. This included 18 fatalities in the marked crosswalks versus 3 fatalities in the unmarked crosswalks. In general, the study showed that, with allowance made for the number of pedestrians using the crosswalks, approximately twice as many pedestrian accidents occur in marked crosswalks as in unmarked crosswalks. Evidence indicates that the poor accident record of marked crosswalks is not due to the crosswalk being marked as much as it is a reflection of the pedestrian's attitude and lack of caution when using the marked crosswalk. Recommendations include institution of a pedestrian education program and limitation of crosswalks to only those locations where they are warranted. /author/

record url:
http://onlinepubs.Trb.Org/onlinepubs/hrr/1972/406/406-001.pdf

Language: en

Keywords

TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS AND MARKINGS; TRAFFIC SURVEYS; HIGHWAY ACCIDENTS