Urban Intersection Improvements for Pedestrian Safety
Vol. IV Pedestrian Signal Displays and Operation
Source: Federal Highway Administration
Three evaluation studies were conducted.
The first study was a controlled experiment to determine what differences existed between "lunar" and "clear" white WALK lenses in pedestrian signals. The findings indicated that "clear" white had better target value, but that "lunar" white was more readable for thre of the four lighting conditions tested.
Teh second study consisted of three experiments, two of which dealt with the clearance interval display, while the third evaluated flashing versus stead WALK. Of the two clearance displays tested, i.e., stead DONT WALK and steady DONT START, neither showed a significant improvement over the standard flashing DONT WALK clearance indications. Flashing WALK was found not to be effective as a means of warning pedestrians of turning vehicles.
The third study evaluated the concept of using symbolic pedestrian displays in place of the current word message display. The hand-walking man symbol was found to show a significant improvement over the standard WALK-DONT WALK display. Orange and white were found to be better colors for pedestrian signal indications than red and green.
Other Volumes in this series include:
Volume I - Executve Summary
Volume II - Identification of Safety and Operational Problems at Intersections
Volume III - Signal Timing for the Pedestrian
Volume V - Evaluation of Alternatives to Full Signalization at Pedestrian Crossings
