A Study of Pedestrian Behaviour

8/8/2019 A Study of Pedestrian Behaviour

1/21

Warnings and Behavior: A StudyWarnings and Behavior: A Studyof Pedestrian Behavior at Gradeof Pedestrian Behavior at Grade

CrossingsCrossings

Gavin HuntleyGavin Huntley--Fenner, Ph.D.Fenner, Ph.D.

Managing ScientistManaging Scientist

Exponent, Inc.Exponent, Inc.May, 2008May, 2008


2/21

OutlineOutline

Introduction

Case Study

Implications


3/21

1996 FRA data 2004 FRA data

Basic grade crossing taxonomy isBasic grade crossing taxonomy isevolvingevolving


4/21

6.3%

55.7%

38.0%

% of public grade crossings

2004 FRA data

Current distribution of activeCurrent distribution of activedevices at public crossingsdevices at public crossings


5/21

Decrease in highway rail incidentsDecrease in highway rail incidentsis a familiar story (e.g., fatalities)is a familiar story (e.g., fatalities)


6/21

CounterCounter--trend: Pedestrian incidentstrend: Pedestrian incidentshave increased markedlyhave increased markedly

Pedestrian incidentshave increased by20%

Constitute between10% and 20% of allincidents

In the same time frameMV incidents fell

by about 6%


7/21

Pattern of pedestrian incidents isPattern of pedestrian incidents iscounter intuitivecounter intuitive

Similar numbers ofmotor vehicleincidents at gates &crossbucks

10x more pedestrianincidents with gatedcrossings than with

crossbucks

905

10

865

123

1

10

100

1000

MotorVehicles

Pedestrians

#o

fincidents

Crossbucks onlyGates

2005 FRA data; Y axis is in log scale PUBLIC & PRIVATE crossings combined

Federal Railroad Administration. (December 2006). Railroad Safety Statistics 2005 Final Report . U.S. Department of Transportation. Washington, D.C.


8/21

Pedestrian specific factors arePedestrian specific factors are

acknowledged as importantacknowledged as important

Railroads often act as physical dividersbetween important, interrelated elements ofcommunities.

Railroads have always attracted juvenilesas play areas

passengers frequently use short cutsbefore or after boarding a train.

some people are prone to vandalism .

Source: 2007 Railroad Grade Crossing Handbook Revised Second Edition


9/21

but historically the approach tobut historically the approach toinfluencing behavior is similarinfluencing behavior is similar


10/21

Motorists and pedestrians haveMotorists and pedestrians havedifferent mindsetsdifferent mindsets

Pedestrians interpretsigns and signals atcrossings differently

Pedestrians have minimalthreat of law enforcement

Pedestrians may trespass easy to travel offroadway

Many pedestrians have asense of control over theright-of-way


11/21

and multiple interpretations ofand multiple interpretations ofsignals are possiblesignals are possible

State Drivers Manual

Red light?

Stop sign?

Bells or other audible warning devices

may be included to provide

additional warning for pedestrians and

bicyclists

MUTCD 8D.01

FHWA Railroad Grade

Crossing Handbook


12/21

Some interpretations may be at oddsSome interpretations may be at odds

Stimulus

Information useful inguiding behavior toward anoptimal desired outcome

Two interpretations

Information about a possiblenegative consequence amessage that somethingundesirable may occur

Train approaching donot enter crossing

Train approachingsoon get into boardingposition on platform

Lights flashingAlarm sounding

Warning

Signal

Behavior


13/21

Case Study: Evidence forCase Study: Evidence for signalsignalinterpretation of active warningsinterpretation of active warnings

Location Method Data

Suburban commuterrail station in the US

Surveillance was covert

3 days of recording

between 7am and 9am

Directly at crosswalk

Recorded data only

while bell sounded &lights flashed

# of trains

# of people crossing

Timing of crossing

Manner of crossing


14/21

Schematic layout of the stationSchematic layout of the station

Camera


15/21

Northbound viewNorthbound view

Overpass:

3481

Trestle:

5730

D


16/21

Data summaryData summary

Train Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

07:30 NB Local ; SB Express - - 4

07:40 NB Local ; 7:43 SB Local - 6 6

07:52 SB Express - - -

07:58 NB Local ; 8:01 SB Local 5 9 708:10 SB Express 2 - -

08:17 NB Local 5 3 2

08:22 SB Local - - -

08:40 SB Local 1 2 -

87% crossed while bellsounded- 8 people crossed pre-train, 2 of them ran

13% waited until bellstopped and train left

station

60 pedestrians in crosswalk 28 female and 32 male


17/21

Summary of case study resultsSummary of case study results

Pedestrians were willing to enter crosswalkseven while bells are sounding

Some crossed just before the train arrived

Most crossed after a train had left the station

A few pedestrians waited for the bells to stopeven after the train had departed


18/21

Results of the study echo findings ofResults of the study echo findings ofFRA panelFRA panel

Observations of pedestrianObservations of pedestrianbehavior often reveal that manybehavior often reveal that manypedestrians do not think ofpedestrians do not think ofthemselves as part of the overallthemselves as part of the overalltraffic stream, and therefore nottraffic stream, and therefore not

really subject to traffic controlreally subject to traffic controldevices ...devices ...

effective devices are aeffective devices are anecessary complement to lawnecessary complement to lawenforcement initiatives and publicenforcement initiatives and publicoutreach and education efforts inoutreach and education efforts inthe enhancement of pedestrianthe enhancement of pedestriansafety at grade crossings.safety at grade crossings.


19/21

ImplicationsImplications

Auditory alarms warn AND reduce

uncertainty

Pedestrians use the safety informationprovided together with other information

about when/whether to cross- Perceptual factors (looming, monocularparallax )

- Timing of alarm bell- Physical layout- Visual Signs?-

Threat of enforcement?


20/21

Rules differ but behavior is similarRules differ but behavior is similar

Rule

Some

considerationsguiding behavior

What manner ofcrossing ispossible?

Is hazard

present?

How fast can Itravel?

When can Ibegin to cross?

Enter crosswalkonly on walk signal

Do not enter if dontwalk is flashing orsolidly lit

Do not enter

crossing while gateis down

When lights areflashing stop before

proceeding intointersection

Right of Way

Drivers always yieldto pedestrians

Trains yield for

no one


21/21

Documents

A Study of Pedestrian Behaviour