Pedestrian quality of service at unprotected mid-block crosswalk locations under mixed traffic conditions: towards quantitative approach

Kadali, Bhadradri Raghuram; Vedagiri, Perumal · 2016 · Crossref

DOI: 10.3846/16484142.2016.1183227

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Summary

This study addresses the lack of quantitative methods for evaluating pedestrian Quality of Service (QOS) at unprotected mid-block crosswalks under mixed traffic conditions, a prevalent issue in developing countries like India. Existing Level of Service (LOS) metrics are largely designed for signalized intersections or high-flow sidewalks, failing to capture the complex interactions, safety risks, and behavioral adaptations pedestrians face at unsignalized crossings. The research aims to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework that integrates safety, crossing opportunities, and delay into a single measure, while identifying the specific factors influencing pedestrian QOS. To achieve this, the authors conducted field surveys at eight unprotected mid-block crosswalk locations in Mumbai, India. Data collection involved video recordings analyzed frame-by-frame to extract pedestrian individual characteristics (age, gender), behavioral traits (rolling behavior, speed changes, cell phone usage), and traffic variables (vehicle speed, gap sizes, number of lanes). Additionally, a stated preference survey was administered to determine pedestrian priorities regarding safety, gap availability, and delay. The study formulated a Pedestrian Crossing Index (PCI) by combining three sub-indices: Pedestrian Safety Index (PSI), Gap Index, and Delay Index. Weights for these components were derived from the stated preference survey, assigning 0.6 to safety, 0.28 to gap opportunities, and 0.12 to delay. The PCI values were then categorized into six QOS levels (A through F) based on cumulative percentiles. The researchers developed an ordered probit model to identify significant factors affecting pedestrian QOS, using data from six sites for model development and two sites for validation. The results indicated that several variables significantly influence QOS. Primary factors identified include pedestrian rolling behavior (accepting minimal gaps to reduce delay), pedestrian speed change behavior, vehicle speed, the number of traffic lanes, and the number of vehicles encountered. The model demonstrated that aggressive pedestrian behaviors, such as rolling, which are adopted to minimize waiting time, significantly degrade the overall QOS by compromising safety margins. The significance of this work lies in providing a quantitative tool for assessing and designing pedestrian facilities in mixed traffic environments. By integrating safety, comfort, and delay into the PCI, the study offers a more holistic evaluation method than traditional LOS metrics. The findings highlight the critical impact of roadway design features, such as lane count, and driver-pedestrian interactions on service quality. This framework can assist transportation planners in evaluating existing crosswalks and designing safer, more efficient pedestrian infrastructure in developing nations where unprotected mid-block crossings are common.

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Topics

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• pedestrian behavior perception