Improving safety at pedestrian crossings and on bicycle tracks

Summary

The aim of the measure was to find new approaches for improving traffic safety on crosswalks in Tallinn. This was done by finding 5 new technical solutions on improving visibility and markings for crosswalks.

Implementing sustainable mobility

The aim of the measure was to find new and innovative approaches for improving traffic safety on crosswalks in Tallinn. For that reason an analysis on traffic accident statistics was done and citizens of Tallinn were asked to point out dangerous crosswalks in a survey. Then five new non-traditional solutions (described below) were selected and implemented in certain suitable locations – the solutions 1-4 all in only one location and the solution 5 in 10 crosswalks along one street section. The selection of solutions was based on a series of meetings of traffic experts from Tallinn City and Tallinn University of Technology.

The main objectives of the measure are to:

• Improve safety at pedestrian crossings and on bicycle tracks;
• Decrease the number of accidents between vehicles and pedestrians or cyclists;
• Make pedestrians and cyclists feel safer in urban traffic; and
• Foster a safe-driving culture.

Tallinn has approximately 2300 pedestrian crosswalks (derived from the number of traffic signs) including regulated crosswalks. The number of pedestrians, cyclists and roller-skaters had been rising in Tallinn together with a growth in traffic volumes. Unless focused, this could have lead to a growth in the number of accidents between cars, pedestrians and cyclists.  

Tallinn expects: • A 15 percent decrease in the number of accidents where bicycle tracks cross roads and at pedestrian crossings; and • A 20 percent increase in satisfaction among light traffic users.

The innovative aspect of this measure was to test new technical solutions to mark crosswalks to make them safer: new types of signs and reflectors, new sensors and programming principles for traffic lights.  

Progress

The measure was implemented in the following stages:Stage 1: Definition of the most dangerous crosswalks (May 2010 - August 2010) – The dangerous crosswalks were identified based on an analysis of traffic accident statistics and survey results;Stage 2: Selecting the suitable solutions to improve traffic safety on the crosswalks (September 2010 - March 2011) – The solutions were selected by a group of experts during regular meetings;Stage 3: Purchasing of the equipment and signs: (November 2010 - May 2011) – the suitable solutions were acquired and installed;Stage 4: Data collection for the impact evaluation before the change: (May 2011 – June 2011) – the before-study for evaluation was made prior to the solutions being implemented;Stage 5: Installation of the equipment and signs: (June 2011 - July 2011) – The solutions were installed and put into operation;Stage 6: Data collection and impact evaluation after the change: (September 2011 – August 2012) – The after-measurements for evaluation were completed for different solutions and the results were analysed.

The solutions implemented in the scope of the measure were: 1. A spot-lighted crosswalk sign was added above the crosswalk, as the crosswalk signs at street sides were not drawing enough attention in the dark. The system functions together with street lighting, i.e. low light or dark conditions.

2. LED-equipped blinking reflectors were added to the crosswalk traffic sign poles. The blue LED-s start blinking (radar-activated) when pedestrians approach the crosswalk, thus drawing the attention of the approaching car drivers. The system functions 24 hours a day.

3. A speed sensor was added to the traffic lights of the pelican crosswalk (with a push button for pedestrians). The traffic light for car drivers is constantly red and switches to green only if approaching drivers are driving within the speed limit of 50 km/h permitted in the location. The system functions outside peak hours in traffic, i.e. 21:00-07:00 when traffic calming is needed most due to low traffic volumes. 

4. A speed sensor was added to the traffic lights of the pelican crosswalk (regulated crosswalk with a push button for pedestrians). The solution is otherwise same as the solution 3 except that the traffic light is constantly green instead of red and sensor switches it to red if an approaching car is exceeding the speed limit of 70 km/h permitted in the location. The system functions outside peak hours in traffic, i.e. 21:00-07:00 when traffic calming is needed most due to low traffic volumes. 

5. A traffic light dimmer was added to 10 traffic lights on pelican crosswalks and intersections (with a push button for pedestrians) on a street section (Figure 7 shows a picture from one of the implemented locations). Traffic lights on all pelican crosswalks and many intersections in Tallinn switch to blinking yellow for car traffic at night. The problem is that in low light and darkness the blinking yellow light can be too distracting to drivers drawing attention away from the crosswalk itself. The dimmer functions during the blinking yellow program of the traffic light – from 21:45 to 06:30.

Outcomes

Evaluation of the measure was done using city specific indicators of traffic behaviour, pedestrian accident statistics and awareness of the general public on the situation with regard to using crosswalks. The results from the evaluation were as follows:

• Solution 1 – The driver behaviour (yielding to pedestrians) had improved by 53% even when the overall driver behaviour could be estimated as being worse than from previous trends. • Solution 2 – The number of cars exceeding the speed limit while approaching the crosswalk had reduced by 3%. • Solution 3 –  The number of cars exceeding the speed limit while approaching the crosswalk had reduced by 7%; • Solution 4 – The number of cars exceeding the speed limit while approaching the crosswalk had reduced by 9%; • Solution 5 – The amount of light emitted when using a dimmed traffic light was 40% less than when using a normal traffic light, thus helping the drivers’ attention in poor visibility.

• The change in acceptance of the current safety situation with crosswalks in Tallinn was unclear. On the one hand it was improved by 3% when considering the positive and moderate responses together which included the reduction of the negative responses, whereas on the other hand, the number of positive only responses was reduced by 10%. There was also no reason to connect the change in acceptance to the implementation of the measure on only 5 crosswalks.

The most important driver encountered during the measure was: the Estonian Road Administration tested a solution at the beginning of 2011 which was originally planned in the scope of the measure. The testing was done on administrations initiative and resulted in the conclusion it was not suitable for usage. This result was clear prior to signing the contract with the installation company so it saved effort and resources on the measure.