Factors Influencing Pedestrian Decisions to Cross Mid-Block and Potential Countermeasures

About the report:

About 70% of pedestrian fatalities involve mid-block crossings in Virginia. To address this critical safety issue, this research aims to investigate factors influencing pedestrian decisions to cross at mid-block locations and identify potential countermeasures to enhance pedestrian safety. The research team employed a multifaceted approach. A comprehensive literature review was conducted on factors affecting pedestrian crossing demand and choices and countermeasures to enhance pedestrian safety. Field data was collected from 1,150 pedestrians across 35 sites in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Additionally, 540 Virginia residents were involved in a survey to collect information on their crossing choices, human factors, and individual characteristics. 

A hierarchical negative binomial model, designed to account for potential temporal variations, was developed to estimate hourly pedestrian crossing demand based on the collected field data. Furthermore, a multi-group structural equation model was developed to reveal the decision-making mechanisms behind pedestrian crossing choices using the survey data. Factors such as population, walk ratio, speed limit, number of lanes, sidewalk width, and land use interaction were found to affect crossing demand. Meanwhile, the presence of safety messages, traffic volume, number of lanes, travel time saved by mid-block crossing, and gender influenced crossing choices. Moreover, human factors like safety awareness and delay tolerance, which vary across demographics such as age and gender, were identified as key influences in explaining crossing choices. The crossing demand and choice models developed in this study can guide the identification of countermeasures, which are classified into two categories: 1) encouraging safe crossings at the nearby intersection crosswalk for mid-block locations with low crossing demand but high mid-block crossing probabilities and 2) improving the safety of mid-block crossings for mid-block locations with high crossing demand and high mid-block crossing probabilities.

This study recommends integrating quantitative models into pedestrian safety management processes. To facilitate implementation, the researchers developed an Excel-based tool, PedAct, which utilizes the crossing demand and choice models to inform decision-making in safety management, such as identifying locations with pedestrians exposed to high risk, developing countermeasures and evaluating their effectiveness. The PedAct tool has the potential to enhance the Virginia Department of Transportation’s decision-making process in pedestrian safety management, ultimately reducing pedestrian crashes.

Supplemental files can be found at: https://library.vdot.virginia.gov/vtrc/supplements

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