A Comparative Study Of Pedestrian Countdown Signal Versus Pedestrian Traditional Signal

Abstract: In the United States, Countdown pedestrian signals are becoming more common in urban areas to increase the safety of the pedestrians as well as the efficiency of the roadways. The main focus of this research is to comparatively study the influence of the pedestrian countdown signal on pedestrian behavior, and the effects of the signal on safety of both pedestrians and car traffic, versus the pedestrian traditional signal. This study was executed in 2013 on two major intersections at City of Long Beach, operated with the countdown and traditional pedestrian signals. Field data were collected from September 26, 2013 to November 23, 2013. Six years of accident history from January 1, 2007 to August 30,2013 were obtained from City of Long Beach Traffic Engineering Department: 1949 pedestrians were observed, and 171 total accidents history obtained and analyzed. Pedestrian countdown signal is more effective in reduction of accidents which involved injuries and fatalities at the intersection with pedestrian countdown signal, based on before and after study conducted. Decreased signal effectiveness due to higher foot traffic volume and Blue line train station at the median of the pedestrian countdown signal intersection were the most common causes of the observed violations. Finally, the results showed that push button violations, regardless of the signal at intersections, were more recurrent in the male population.