Signal controlled pedestrian crossings on high-speed roads

The project presented examines both 'real' and 'perceived' differences and difficulties resulting from the provision of stand-alone signal controlled crossings and junctions with pedestrian facilities, on roads with 85th percentile speeds exceeding 50 and 65 mph respectively. The Department for Transport (UK) wants to look at the behaviour of both those using the carriageway and those trying to cross it, together with typical levels of "gap acceptance". The project is also examining the differences that drivers feel, real or perceived, when approaching a stand-alone crossing rather than one at a junction. An important part of the project was to study drivers' behaviour. The TRL driving simulator was used to provide a safe situation to explore drivers' responses to traffic signals at stand-alone crossings and junctions when the signals changed to amber as the driver approached them. The results were analysed to determine any change in response to the signals and caution of approach between junctions and stand-alone crossings. The paper describes those simulator trials and results.