Citation

Medina A, Velasco M, Diaz D. ITE J. 2010; 80(6): 36-44.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Institute of Transportation Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

School zones present a special safety challenge since they typically have high levels of pedestrian levels, and many of these pedestrians might exhibit risky or unpredictable behavior. This paper presents a simplified procedure for assessing the condition of existing pedestrian facilities and road infrastructure in school zones. The goal was to develop a procedure that is easy to implement for inventorying and evaluating the conditions of traffic control devices, roadway characteristics and pedestrian facilities near schools. The procedure also can be used to identify existing safety issues related to traffic or pedestrian behavior. The procedure was applied to four urban school areas in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico to demonstrate its use. The procedure allowed for the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the traffic control devices and pedestrian facilities and can be used to assign priorities for improving the school zones.