Human Factors Assessment of Pedestrian Roadway Crossing Behavior

Pedestrian Crossing Behaviors: Phase 1

To assess pedestrian crossing behaviors, eight different locations in Washington, DC, were selected. Pedestrian crossings were video recorded and later coded at each of the locations. The following section describes this process as well as where pedestrians are likely to cross the roadway at each of these locations. Later, these results are compared with more data that were collected in phases 2 and 3.

Data Collection Locations

Eight different locations in Washington, DC, were selected as areas in which data would be collected. Each area must have met several requirements to be included. These requirements were the following:

·         The area must be captured by a District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) traffic management/closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera. This provided the opportunity to record video feed directly from the cameras.

·         Each camera must be positioned at an intersection that clearly captures a marked intersection crosswalk in the foreground.

·         Each camera must capture a second marked crosswalk. This ensured that all crossings between two marked intersections could be captured.

·         Each camera must capture enough traffic light information to determine walk/don’t walk phases at the intersection crosswalk in the foreground.

Other roadway characteristics were not considered when selecting data collection areas. It is possible that factors such as the number of lanes and directionality (one versus two lanes) influence pedestrian crossing behaviors. As a result, these factors were not intentionally included or excluded when selecting data collection areas. Rather, it was hoped that the influence of these factors would present itself in the data.

Video feed was recorded from each of the eight cameras from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 9, 2012. Following this first day of recording, all cameras recorded from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, beginning February 10, 2012, and ending February 22, 2012.

The following section describes each of the eight data collection locations, which are labeled in no particular order.

Location 1

The first data collection area is located at the intersection of 3rd Street Northeast and H Street Northeast in Washington, DC. Figure 2 is an aerial view of this data collection area. Third Street Northeast runs north/south and is located in the center of the image. H Street Northeast runs east/west and is also located in the center of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of 3rd Street Northeast and H Street Northeast. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of 4th Street Northeast and H Street. The DDOT camera was positioned on the southwest corner of the 3rd and H intersection facing east (see figure 3). As a result, pedestrians making north/south crossings on H Street between 3rd Street and 4th Street were captured. The distance from 3rd Street and 4th Street is approximately 352 ft. Figure 3 shows marked crossings are present at both 3rd Street Northeast (solid red line) and 4th Street Northeast (dotted red line). The AADT in this area is 15.8 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽¹⁸⁾

Original image: ©2012 Google^®; map annotations provided by SAIC.

Figure 2. Photo. Aerial view of Location 1.⁽¹⁹⁾

The neighborhood around this location contains both residential buildings and businesses. (It is located only a few blocks from Union Station.) However, few businesses/offices along H Street might attract pedestrian traffic. Along the entire block on north side of H Street, a large construction project was underway throughout data collection. The result of this construction has two relevant impacts on the present study. First, there are nearly no trip originators or destinations on this side of the block for persons other than worksite employees. Second, a barrier was placed between the sidewalk just outside the construction and the roadway. A break in the barrier near the 3rd and H intersection allows pedestrians to enter and exit a nearby bus stop. The southeast corner of this intersection has both a liquor store and a Capital Bikeshare™ station. (Capital Bike Share is a local subscription-based bicycle sharing program that allows users to pick up and drop off bicycles at more than 140 different Washington, DC, metropolitan area locations.) No other notable trip originators or destinations are located on the south side of H Street.

Figure 3. Photo. Still image captured from the Location 1 camera.

The northern portion of the relevant block of H Street Northeast (i.e., vehicles traveling from east to west) provides two lanes of through traffic and an additional partial lane near the western end of the block. This third lane functions primarily as an area for buses to stop to pick up passengers. As vehicles continue to travel west (behind the view of the camera), the three lanes continue and two additional bus stops are present. The southern portion of the relevant block of H Street Northeast (i.e., vehicles traveling from west to east) provides two lanes of travel and a third parking lane. Just west of the relevant intersection, two through lanes and a right turn only lane are present. A bus stop is located just before the intersection.

The marked intersection of interest at 3rd and H Streets (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 3 is 61 ft long (curb to curb).

The walk phase is illuminated for 20 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 69 s. Figure 4 illustrates what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the north side of H Street Northeast to the south side of the street along 3rd Street Northeast. The image shows a pedestrian waiting to cross to the north side of the street and looking for oncoming traffic.

Figure 4. Photo. Illustration of what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the north side of H Street Northeast to the south side of the street along 3rd Street Northeast.

Location 2

The second data collection area is located at the intersection of 7th Street Northwest and New York Avenue Northwest in Washington, DC. Figure 5 is an aerial view of this data collection area. Seventh Street Northwest runs north/south and is located in the center of the image. New York Avenue runs northeast/southwest and is also located near the center of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of 7th Street Northwest and New York Avenue Northwest. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of 6th Street Northwest and New York Avenue Northwest. The DDOT camera was positioned on the southwest corner of the 7th and Mt. Vernon Place intersection facing east (see figure 6). (Note that because New York Avenue is a “diagonal” street, it meets Mt. Vernon Place at Mount Vernon Square as can be seen in figure 5.) As a result, pedestrians making north/south crossings on New York Avenue between 7th Street and 6th Street were captured. The distance between 7th Street and 6th Street is approximately 530 ft. Figure 6 shows marked crossings are present at both 7th Street Northwest (solid red rectangle) and 6th Street Northwest (dotted red rectangle). The AADT in this area is 24.2 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽¹⁸⁾

Original image: ©2012 Google^®; map annotations provided by SAIC.

Figure 5. Photo. Aerial view of Location 2.⁽²⁰⁾

The neighborhood surrounding Location 2 contains both residential buildings and businesses. The two largest attractions in the vicinity are Mount Vernon Square and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Along the south side of New York Avenue are two smaller pay parking lots. In addition, several older buildings (some vacant) are not likely to be substantial trip originators or destinations. Along the north side of New York Avenue, several buildings under construction are not likely to serve as trip originators or destinations for persons other than worksite employees. There is also a smaller pay parking lot, a vehicle service station, vacant buildings, and a business that functions primarily during evening hours. As a result, there are few trip originators or destinations along this side of the roadway.

Figure 6. Photo. Still image captured from the Location 2 camera.

The northern portion of the relevant block of New York Avenue Northwest (i.e., with vehicles traveling from east to west) provides two lanes of through traffic. An additional third lane is present that provides metered parking and a right turn only lane toward the western end of the block. As vehicles continue to travel west (behind the view of the camera), the two travel lanes continue. The southern portion of the relevant block of New York Avenue Northwest (i.e., with vehicles traveling from west to east) provides two lanes of travel and a third parking lane. Just west of the relevant intersection, two through lanes are present. There is also a small “soft” median (i.e., a small area in the roadway that is not raised/protected by concrete) between the eastbound and westbound travel lanes of New York Avenue. Also of relevance, the rightmost lane traveling northbound on 7th Street Northwest is right turn only. That is, there is a dedicated lane of traffic turning onto New York Avenue.

The marked intersection of 7th Street and New York Avenue of interest (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 6) is 81 ft 3 inches long (curb to curb). The walk phase is illuminated for 46 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 55 s. Figure 7 illustrates what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the north side of New York Avenue Northwest to the south side of the street along 7th Street Northwest. The traffic traveling northbound (closest to the crosswalk) is waiting for the pedestrians to clear before completing a right turn.

Figure 7. Photo. Illustration of what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the north side of New York Avenue Northwest to the south side of the street along 7th Street Northwest.

Location 3

The third data collection area is located at the intersection of 7th Street Northwest and Rhode Island Avenue Northwest in Washington, DC. An aerial view of this data collection area can be seen in figure 8. Seventh Street Northwest runs north/south and is located in the center of the image. New York Avenue runs northeast/southwest and is also located near the center of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of 7th Street Northwest and Rhode Island Avenue Northwest. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of 6th Street Northwest and Rhode Island Avenue Northwest. The DDOT camera was positioned on the northwest corner of the 7th and Rhode Island intersection facing east (see figure 9). As a result, pedestrians making north/south crossings on Rhode Island Avenue between 7th and 6th Streets were captured. The distance between 7th Street and 6th Street is approximately 550 ft. Figure 9 shows marked crossings are present at both 7th Street Northwest (solid red rectangle) and 6th Street Northwest (dotted red rectangle). The AADT in this area is 26.3 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽¹⁸⁾

In addition, Marion Street Northwest runs north/south between 6th and 7th Streets. Marion Street is located to the south of Rhode Island Avenue. Northbound Marion Street traffic must turn (either right or left) when it meets Rhode Island. This intersection does not contain a marked pedestrian crossing. The distance between 7th Street and Marion Street is approximately 277 ft.

Original image: ©2012 Google^®; map annotations provided by SAIC.

Figure 8. Photo. Aerial view of Location 3. Northwest between 7th and 6th Streets Northwest.⁽²¹⁾

The neighborhood surrounding Location 3 consists of mostly residential buildings and a few small businesses. Along the south side of Rhode Island Avenue, west of Marion Street, a residential building complex fills the entire block. The south side of Rhode Island Avenue (east of Marion Street) comprises a small grassy area. Along the north side of Rhode Island Avenue, to the west of Marion Street, is a vacant lot. Directly north of the Rhode Island Avenue and Marion Street intersection is construction of a new housing complex. A barrier was placed between the sidewalk and the roadway in front of this construction area. However, there are notable gaps in the barrier blocks. The remaining portion of the northeastern section of Rhode Island Avenue consists of houses. Other trip originators or destinations include a convenience store on the southwestern corner of the intersection of 7th Street Northwest and Rhode Island Northwest. A public library is also located directly west of the intersection. In addition, a Metro station (Shaw-Howard) is located on the northwestern adjacent block (behind the camera).

Figure 9. Photo. Still image captured from the Location 3 camera.

The northern portion of the relevant block of Rhode Island Avenue Northwest (i.e., vehicles traveling from east to west) provides three lanes of through traffic. An additional third left turn only lane is present just east of the intersection, and there is a split to the right so that drivers can travel westbound on R Street Northwest. As vehicles continue to travel west (behind the view of the camera), the three travel lanes continue. The southern portion of the relevant block of New York Avenue Northwest (i.e., vehicles traveling from west to east) provides three lanes of travel continued from the roadway west of the intersection. A bus stop is located just to the east of the intersection. A concrete median is present between the eastbound and westbound lanes of traffic. This median is also present to the east of Marion Street Northwest.

The marked intersection of 7th Street and Rhode Island Avenue of interest (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 9) is 48 ft 3 inches long (median refuge to curb). The walk phase is illuminated for 46 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 71 s. The median between the eastbound and westbound traffic is 7 ft wide. Figure 10 illustrates what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the north side of Rhode Island Avenue Northwest to the south side of the street along 7th Street Northwest.

Figure 10. Photo. Illustration of what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the north side of Rhode Island Avenue Northwest to the south side of the street along 7th Street Northwest.

Location 4

The fourth data collection area is located at the intersection of 13th Street Northwest and I (eye) Street Northwest in Washington, DC. An aerial view of this data collection area can be seen
in Figure 11. Thirteenth Street Northwest runs north/south and is located toward the right of the image. Traffic travels east/west on I Street Northwest and is located near the center of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of 13th Street Northwest and I Street Northwest. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of 14th Street Northwest and I Street Northwest. The DDOT camera was positioned on the northeast corner of the 13th and I intersection facing west (see figure 11). As a result, pedestrians making north/south crossings on I Street between 13th and 14th Streets were captured. The distance between 13th Street and 14th Street is approximately 565 ft. Figure 12 shows marked crossings are present at both 13th Street Northwest (solid red line) and 14th Street Northwest (dotted red line). The AADT in this area is 11.3 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽¹⁸⁾

Original image: ©2012 Google^®; map annotations provided by SAIC.

Figure 11. Photo. Aerial view of Location 4.⁽²²⁾

The neighborhood surrounding Location 4 consists of mostly businesses. Along the south side of I Street Northwest, there are two large office buildings. They contain a variety of businesses, including restaurants, automatic teller machines (ATM), and a staffing solutions/temporary employment center. The entire north side of the relevant I Street block is bordered by Franklin Park.

Figure 12. Photo. Still image captured from the Location 4 camera.

I Street Northwest is a one-way street with traffic flowing from east to west. To the east of the relevant 13th Street intersection, vehicles travel in two through lanes along I Street. Parking is available on both the north and south sides of the roadway. As traffic moves west to the data collection zone between 13th and 14th Streets, a third travel lane becomes available. Parking is also available on the south side of I street. A bus lane with multiple stops is present on the north side of I Street. The bus lane continues to the block west of 14th Street as parking space.

The marked intersection of 13th Street and I Street of interest (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 12 is 54 ft 5 inches long (curb to curb). The walk phase is illuminated for 32 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 45 s. Figure 13 shows the view of the crossing of I Street Northwest at 13th Street Northwest from the southeast corner of the intersection.

Figure 13. Photo. Image of the westernmost crossing of I Street Northwest at 13th Street Northwest. The photo is taken from the southwestern corner of the intersection.

Location 5

The fifth data collection area is located at 14th Street Northwest and H Street Northwest in Washington, DC. An aerial view of this data collection area can be seen in figure 14. Fourteenth Street Northwest runs north/south and is located toward the right of the image. H Street Northwest travels east/west and is located near the center of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of 14th Street Northwest and H Street Northwest. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of 15th Street Northwest and H Street. The DDOT camera

was positioned on the southeast corner of the 14th and H intersection facing west (see
figure 15). As a result, pedestrians making north/south crossings on H Street between 14th and 15th Streets were captured. The distance between 14th Street and 15th Street is approximately 391 ft. Figure 15 shows marked crossings are present at both 14th Street Northwest (solid red line) and 15th Street Northwest (dotted red line). The AADT in this area is 15.1 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽¹⁸⁾

Original image: ©2012 Google^®; map annotations provided by SAIC.

Figure 14. Photo. Aerial view of Location 5.⁽²³⁾

The neighborhood surrounding Location 5 consists of mostly businesses. Along the south side of H Street Northwest, there are several large buildings. These buildings contain a variety of businesses, including restaurants, offices, and a public parking garage. The north side of H Street is also made up of office buildings. These buildings contain the city center offices, an engraving shop, a men’s clothing shop, a hair salon, a mobile telephone store, and a parking garage.

Figure 15. Photo. Still image captured from the Location 5 camera.

H Street Northwest is a one-way street with traffic flowing from west to east. H Street between 15th and 14th Streets contains three travel lanes and parking both to the north and south. As vehicles approach the 14th Street intersection, the parking along the north side of H Street becomes a left turn only lane, and the parking along the south side of H Street becomes a right turn only lane. As traffic continues past this intersection traveling east, there are three travel lanes and a parking lane on the north side of H Street.

The marked intersection of 14th Street and H Street of interest (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 15) is 61 ft long (curb to curb). The walk phase is illuminated for 53 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 50 s.

Figure 16 illustrates what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the south side of H Street Northwest to the north side of the street along 14th Street Northwest.

Figure 16. Photo. Illustration of what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the south side of H Street Northwest to the north side of the street along 14th Street Northwest.

Location 6

The sixth data collection area is located at 14th Street Northwest and New York Avenue Northwest in Washington, DC. An aerial view of this data collection area can be seen in figure 17. Fourteenth Street Northwest runs north/south and is located toward the center of the image. New York Avenue Northwest travels northeast/southwest and is located near the center/ top of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of 14th Street Northwest and New York Avenue Northwest. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of 14th Street Northwest and G Street Northwest. The DDOT camera was positioned on the northeast corner of the 14th and New York intersection facing south (see figure 18). As a result, pedestrians making east/west crossings on 14th Street between New York Avenue and G Street were captured. The distance between New York Avenue and G Street is approximately 294 ft. Figure 18 shows marked crossings are present at both New York Avenue Northwest (solid red line) and G Street Northwest (dotted red line) along 14th Street Northwest. The AADT was not available for this specific block. However, the AADT for 14th Street Northwest on the block north of New York Avenue is 27.2 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽¹⁸⁾ In addition, the AADT for 14th Street Northwest two blocks south of New York Avenue is 35.7 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽¹⁸⁾ This suggests that the AADT for this block is in the middle 30s range. (An AADT of 31.5 was used for analysis purposes.)

Original image: ©2012 Google^®; map annotations provided by SAIC.

Figure 17. Photo. Aerial view of Location 6.⁽²⁴⁾

The neighborhood surrounding Location 6 consists of mostly businesses. The west side of 14th Street contains a restaurant serving primarily sandwiches, a mobile telephone repair shop, a fitness center, a parking garage, and office space. The east side of 14th Street contains a major pharmacy chain store, a bank, a shoe store, a café/restaurant, and office space.

Figure 18. Photo. Still image captured from the Location 6 camera.

Fourteenth Street Northwest is a two-way street with traffic flowing north/south. There are three northbound travel lanes. A bus stop is located in the far right northbound lane near the intersection of 14th and New York. There are three southbound travel lanes, and an additional left turn lane that spans the entire block. A bus stop is located in the far right southbound lane near the intersection of 14th and G Streets.

The marked intersection of 14th Street and New York Avenue of interest (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 18) is 83 ft long (curb to curb). The walk phase is illuminated for 31 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 56 s. Figure 19 shows the southernmost crossing of 14th Street Northwest at New York Avenue Northwest.

Figure 19. Photo. An image of the southernmost crossing of 14th Street Northwest at New York Avenue Northwest. The photo is taken from the northwestern corner of the intersection.

Location 7

The seventh data collection area is located at 19th Street Northwest and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest in Washington, DC. An aerial view of this data collection area can be seen in figure 20. Nineteenth Street Northwest runs north/south and is located toward the center of the image. Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest runs northwest/southeast and is located near the center/top of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of 19th Street Northwest and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of 19th Street Northwest and H Street Northwest. The DDOT camera was positioned on the northwest corner of the 19th and Pennsylvania intersection facing south (see figure 21). As a result, pedestrians making east/west crossings on 19th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and H Street were captured. The distance between Pennsylvania Avenue and H Street is approximately 145 ft. Figure 21 shows marked crossings are present at both Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest (solid red line) and H Street Northwest (dotted red line) along 19th Street Northwest. Unlike the first six collection sites, the far marked crosswalk is not controlled by a signal (nor is it controlled by a stop sign). The AADT in this area is 11.9 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽¹⁸⁾

Original image: ©2012 Google^®; map annotations provided by SAIC.

Figure 20. Photo. Aerial view of Location 7.⁽²⁵⁾

The neighborhood surrounding Location 7 consists of mostly businesses. The west side of 19th Street contains a single, large office building. In addition, several large flower planters and seating areas prevent easy access to the roadway from the sidewalk (although it is not impossible to access the roadway). The east side of 19th Street contains a small park area that is blocked from the sidewalk access along 19th Street by shrubbery.

Figure 21. Photo. Still image captured from the Location 7 camera.

Nineteenth Street Northwest is a one-way street with traffic flowing south. There are three travel lanes and a single parking lane on the east side of the roadway. A bus stop is present on the western portion of the roadway. The roadway north of Pennsylvania (behind the camera view) contains two travel lanes and parking on both sides of the roadway.

The marked intersection of 19th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue of interest (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 21) is 43 ft long (curb to curb). The walk phase is illuminated for 44 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 52 s. Figure 22 illustrates what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the west side of 19th Street Northwest to the east side of the street along Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest.

Figure 22. Photo. Illustration of what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to crossing from the west side of 19th Street Northwest to the east side of the street along Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest.

Location 8

The eighth data collection area is located at Connecticut Avenue Northwest and Oliver Street Northwest in Washington, DC. An aerial view of this data collection area can be seen in figure 23. Connecticut Avenue Northwest runs north/south and is located toward the center of the image. Oliver Street Northwest travels east/west and is located toward the top of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of Oliver Street Northwest and Connecticut Avenue Northwest. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of Northampton Street Northwest and Connecticut Northwest. The DDOT camera was positioned north of the Connecticut and Oliver intersection facing south (see figure 24). As a result, pedestrians making east/west crossings on Connecticut Avenue between Oliver Street and Northampton Street Northwest were captured. The distance between Oliver Street and Northampton Street is approximately 433 ft. Figure 24 shows marked crossings are present at both Oliver Street Northwest (solid red line) and Northampton Street Northwest (dotted red line) along Connecticut Avenue Northwest. Unlike the first six data collection sites, the far marked crosswalk is not controlled by a signal (nor is it controlled by a stop sign). The far marked crossing uses a flag crossing system (see figure 25). The AADT in this area is 24.2 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽¹⁸⁾

Original image: ©2012 Google^®; map annotations provided by SAIC.

Figure 23. Photo. Aerial view of Location 8.⁽²⁵⁾

The neighborhood surrounding Location 8 consists of a mix of businesses and homes. The west side of Connecticut Avenue contains banks, small restaurants, and other small businesses. The east side of 19th Street contains a bank. This area has a more suburban feel than the other seven urban environments in this phase.

Figure 24. Photo. Still image captured from the Location 8 camera.

Figure 25. Photo. An image of the (far) flag crossing at Connecticut Avenue Northwest and Northampton Street Northwest.

Connecticut Avenue Northwest is a two-way street flowing north/south. There are three northbound travel lanes and three southbound travel lanes. The marked intersection of Oliver Street and Connecticut Avenue of interest (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 24) is 70 ft long (curb to curb). The walk phase is illuminated for 19 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 79 s. Figure 26 illustrates what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the west side of Connecticut Avenue Northwest to the east side of the street along Oliver Street Northwest.

Figure 26. Photo. Illustration of what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the west side of Connecticut Avenue Northwest to the east side of the street along Oliver Street Northwest.