PEDESTRIAN CROSSING BEHAVIOUR UNDER UNCONTROLLED TRAFFIC CONDITIONS

Abstract

Traffic accidents involving pedestrians have become a major safety problem all over the world, particularly in developing countries. Most of these accidents are occurring at pedestrian crossings. Thus pedestrian crossing behaviour is to be analysed for provision of proper pedestrian facilities at crossings as well as, to improve their safety while crossing the road. Pedestrian characteristics, traffic characteristics and road characteristics influence the crossing behaviour of a pedestrian. Based on traffic and road characteristics, seven study locations were selected in different cities like Chandigarh, Delhi and Hyderabad for analysing crossing behaviour of pedestrian. Data was collected using video graphic technique. Pedestrian crossing speeds were estimated for age and gender of pedestrian at all study locations and these are compared for different traffic volume, road width and size of the city. Male pedestrians were found crossing faster than female pedestrians. Younger pedestrians crossing speeds are found more than other age groups. Statistical analysis were performed to check the significant difference between mean crossing speeds of age and gender of pedestrian, 3-lane, 4-lane and 6-lane roads and different cities. In Delhi, high crossing speed (1.28 m/s) was observed. Effect of pedestrian group size on crossing speed and approaching vehicle speed was analysed. Gap acceptance of behaviour of pedestrians in terms of time and space was analysed for all crossing patterns like single stage, rolling and two-stage for all ages and gender of pedestrian. Critical gaps were estimated from crossing times and gaps accepted. Finally risk was estimated based on crossing times and accepted gaps for all ages and gender of pedestrian.