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Abstract
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OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the safety impacts of PCSs with and without pushbuttons based on pedestrian crashes and pedestrian injuries in Michigan.
METHODOLOGY: This study used ten years of intersection data: five years before PCSs were installed and five years after they were installed, along with a comparison group, to evaluate the crash impacts of PCSs: at 107 intersections the PCS had a pushbutton and at 96 it did not. At these intersections, and at their comparison sites (where no PCS was installed), crash data (from 2004-2016) were examined, along with traffic and geometric characteristics, population, education and poverty levels data.
RESULTS: Intersections where PCSs with pushbuttons have been installed showed a 29 percent reduction in total pedestrian crashes and a 30 percent reduction in fatal/injury pedestrian crashes. Further, when considering only pedestrians age 65 and below, these respective reductions are 33 and 35 percent. Intersections with PCSs but without pushbuttons did not show any significant change in any type of pedestrian crash.
CONCLUSIONS: Although the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (FHWA, 2009) requires the use of PCSs at new traffic signal installations, this study suggests a safety benefit of installing PCSs with pushbutton at signals where a PCS without a pushbutton is present.
Language: en |