A New Pedestrian Crossing Level of Service (PCLOS) Method for Promoting Safe Pedestrian Crossing in Urban Areas

Ahmed, Tufail; Moeinaddini, Mehdi; Almoshaogeh, Meshal; Jamal, Arshad; Nawaz, Imran; Alharbi, Fawaz · 2021 · Crossref

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168813

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

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Summary

This study addresses the lack of comprehensive evaluation methods for pedestrian crossing facilities in urban areas, which are critical locations where pedestrians are directly exposed to vehicular traffic. While walking is a sustainable mode of transport, pedestrians remain vulnerable road users, accounting for a significant proportion of global traffic fatalities. Existing Level of Service (LOS) methods, such as those in the Highway Capacity Manual, primarily focus on pedestrian volume, delay, and space requirements, often ignoring essential infrastructure facilities like zebra markings, curb ramps, and tactile paving. Furthermore, previous models frequently fail to accommodate the needs of disabled or elderly pedestrians and are often limited to either intersection or midblock crossings, lacking a unified approach. To address these gaps, the authors propose a new Pedestrian Crossing Level of Service (PCLOS) method that incorporates a wide range of infrastructure indicators to promote safe and sustainable operations. The researchers developed the PCLOS method by selecting 17 indicators derived from a comprehensive literature review of pedestrian crossing guidelines from various countries. These indicators cover essential facilities such as crossing markings, width, stop lines, orientation, poles, and accessibility features for disabled users. The method employs an analytical point system that compares existing street conditions against guideline standards, assigning quantitative scores and coefficients to each indicator. These values were determined through field observations and respondent opinions. Data were collected from 150 pedestrians (104 male, 46 female) in Putrajaya, Malaysia, who used crosswalks at least once daily. The survey captured demographic details and perceptions of safety and facility importance. The proposed method was then tested on four specific crosswalks in Putrajaya: two intersection crossings (Ministry of Domestic Trade and Putrajaya Corporation) and two midblock crossings (Ministry of Home Affairs and Menara Prisma). The results identified the provision of zebra crossings as the most critical indicator for pedestrian safety, while drainage near crosswalks was deemed the least important. Four indicators received coefficient values above 4, signifying their significant impact on the LOS calculation. When applied to the test sites, the crosswalk at the Ministry of Domestic Trade received a "PCLOS A" grade, indicating excellent conditions. The midblock crossing in front of the Putrajaya Corporation was graded "PCLOS C," reflecting poorer service levels. The remaining two crosswalks received "PCLOS B" grades. These findings demonstrate the method's ability to differentiate between varying levels of crossing quality and identify specific design and operational issues. The significance of this research lies in providing a robust, flexible framework for evaluating pedestrian crossings that accounts for diverse user needs, including those of disabled and elderly pedestrians. By integrating infrastructure facilities into the LOS calculation, the PCLOS method offers a more holistic assessment than previous volume-based approaches. It enables planners to identify deficiencies in existing crossings and provides sound policy recommendations for improvements, thereby enhancing pedestrian safety and promoting active mobility in urban environments. The method’s reliance on international guidelines also suggests potential applicability across different contexts.

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Topics

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• pedestrian behavior perception