EFFECTIVENESS OF SIGNAL COUNTDOWN DISPLAYS ON PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS

Abstract

Signal countdown timers have a vital role in the efficient traffic movement and the movement of pedestrians. Traffic light Signals equipped with signal countdown timers are replacing traffic lights without signal countdown timers. Pedestrians and vehicle drivers may use the data available on the screen of signal countdown timer for movement across the road and through the road. Signal countdown timers are expected to enhance pedestrian and driver safety. They can also reduce the number of vehicle to vehicle, vehicle to pedestrian collisions. Pedestrians are the worst affected section of the road traveler. Pedestrians face problem during crossing the signalized intersection. It is needed to be assured whether the presence of signal countdown timer necessarily improves the safety and increases the efficiency of crossing or not. It has been found that the installation signal countdown timer has shown negative results thereby decreasing the safety pedestrians and lowering the efficiency of the crossing. It has been found that the risk taking propensity of pedestrian has increased because of the installation of the signal countdown timer. As the results of various models applied to the data showed there is an increase in the delay caused to the pedestrian in case of SCT not running. There is a decrease in the speed of pedestrian when the signal countdown timer was in off position. It has also been found that speed of female is less than speed of male pedestrians. Pedestrians were found to be obeying traffic lights and crossing at the right time when the Signal countdown timer was in off position. Number of offenders during the signal countdown timer on position was more as compared to the signal countdown timer in off position. The study shows that as far as safety and security of pedestrian is considered the signal countdown timer are better in off position. The effect of the signal countdown timer as per on this study suggests that it has made the behavior of pedestrian risk taking.