Human Factors Assessment of Pedestrian Roadway Crossing Behavior

Pedestrian Crossing Behaviors: Phase 3

To more thoroughly assess pedestrian crossing behaviors, five additional pedestrian crossing locations in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area (including locations in Maryland and Virginia) were selected. Unlike in phases 1 and 2, data were coded in vivo by two researchers.

Data Collection Locations

Nearly the same criteria were used to select the locations used in the third set of data collection as those used in phase 1 and phase 2. The only difference was that researchers were placed in locations that could record pedestrian crossings and video cameras were not used. Data were collected in the late morning/early afternoons on several different days. Data for Locations 16 and 17 were collected on November 21, 2012. Data for Locations 18 and 19 were collected on December 3, 2012, and data for Location 20 were collected on December 4, 2012.

The following section describes each of the five data collection locations.

Location 16

The 16th data collection area is located at the intersection of King and Washington Streets in Alexandria, VA. Figure 48 is an aerial view of this data collection area. North Washington Street runs north/south and is located near the center of the image. King Street runs east/west and is also located toward the center of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of King Street and North Washington Street. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of North Washington Street and Cameron Street. Researchers recorded pedestrians crossing east/west on North Washington Street between King Street and Cameron Street. Researchers were positioned on the northwest corner of King and North Washington Streets. One researcher faced north and recorded pedestrians making east/west crossings on North Washington Street between King Street and Cameron Streets. Another researcher faced east and recorded pedestrians crossing east/west in the northernmost marked intersection of North Washington and King Streets. The distance from King Street to Cameron Street is approximately 361 ft. Figure 48 shows marked crossings are present at both King Street (solid red line) and Cameron Street (dotted red line). The AADT in this area is 28 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽³⁶⁾

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

Figure 48. Photo. Aerial view of Location 16.⁽³⁷⁾

The neighborhood around this location is a combination of residential homes and commercial buildings. Along both the eastern and western sides of North Washington Street, there are clothing stores, restaurants, and other small shops.

There are two northbound and two southbound lanes of North Washington Street. (These lanes continue both north and south of the relevant data collection block.) In addition, on the southbound side, an additional lane serves as a bus lane near the southern portion. Farther north, metered parking is available outside rush hours. On the northbound side, an additional lane serves metered parking outside rush hours.

The marked intersection of King and North Washington Streets of interest (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 48) is 75 ft long (curb to curb). A median separates the northbound and southbound traffic. This median is 7.5 ft wide and contains some flower boxes and trees (see figure 49). The walk phase is illuminated for 58 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 73 s.

Figure 49. Photo. Illustration of some of the foliage present in the median of North Washington Street.

Figure 50 illustrates what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the east side of North Washington Street to the west side along King Street.

Figure 50. Photo. Illustration of what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the east side to the west side of North Washington Street along King Street.

Location 17

The 17th data collection area is located at the intersection of King and Washington Streets in Alexandria, VA. Figure 51 is an aerial view of this data collection area. North Washington Street runs north/south and is located just to the left of the center of the image. King Street runs east/west and is located toward the center of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of King Street and North Washington Street. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of King Street and North Saint Asaph Street. Researchers recorded pedestrians crossing north/south on King Street between North Washington Street and North Saint Asaph Street. Researchers were positioned on the southeast corner of King and North Washington Streets. One researcher faced north and recorded pedestrians making north/south crossings in the easternmost marked intersection of North Washington and King Streets. Another researcher faced east and recorded north/south crossings on King Street between North Washington Street and North Saint Asaph Street. The distance from North Washington Street to North Saint Asaph Street is approximately 266.5 ft. Figure 51 shows marked crossings are present at both North Washington Street (solid red line) and North Saint Asaph Street (dotted red line) along King Street. The AADT in this area is 8.1 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽³⁶⁾

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

Figure 51. Photo. Aerial view of Location 17.⁽³⁷⁾

The neighborhood around this location is a combination of residential homes and commercial buildings. Along both the northern and southern sides of King Street are clothing stores, restaurants, and other small shops. This is primarily a shopping and commercial area.

There is one eastbound and one westbound lane of traffic on the relevant block of King Street. Parking is available on both sides of the street. Near the intersection of King Street and North Washington Street, the westbound traffic is provided with a right turn only lane to turn north. Just before the beginning of this lane, there is a bus stop.

The marked intersection of King and North Washington Streets of interest (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 51) is 43.25 ft long (curb to curb). The walk phase is illuminated for 64 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 63 s.

Figure 52 illustrates what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the south side of King Street to the north side along North Washington Street.

Figure 52. Photo. Illustration of what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the south side to the north side of King Street along North Washington Street.

Location 18

The 18th data collection area is located at the intersection of 14th Street Northwest and Irving Street Northwest in Washington, DC. Figure 53 is an aerial view of this data collection area. Irving Street Northwest runs east/west and is located in the center of the image. Fourteenth Street runs north/south and is located in the right half of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of 14th and Irving Streets Northwest. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of Irving Street and Hiatt Place Northwest in Washington, DC. Researchers recorded pedestrians crossing north/south on Irving Street between 14th Street and Hiatt Place. Researchers were positioned on the northwest corner of Irving and 14th Streets. One researcher faced south and recorded pedestrians making north/south crossings in the westernmost marked intersection of Irving and 14th Streets. Another researcher faced west and recorded north/south crossings on Irving Street between 14th Street and Hiatt Place.

The distance from 14th Street Northwest to Hiatt Place is approximately 511.25 ft. Figure 53 shows marked crossings at both 14th Street (solid red line) and Hiatt Place (dotted red line) along Irving Street. The AADT value for this specific block as not recorded. The value here was estimated based on a block to the east and to the west of the relevant roadway section. The estimated AADT in this area is 7.85 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽¹⁸⁾

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

Figure 53. Photo. Aerial view of location 18.⁽³⁸⁾

The neighborhood around this location is a combination of residential homes and commercial buildings. Along both the northern and southern sides of Irving Street Northwest are various restaurants and commercial businesses. Both the southwest and northeast corners of the relevant intersection contain entrances to the Metro (subway). The block northwest of this area also houses a school.

The relevant block of Irving Street Northwest is a one-way street that contains two lanes of eastbound traffic. Near the intersection of 14th Street, an additional lane is provided for left turns only. There is no parking along either side of the street. There is a bus stop near the intersection of Irving and 14th Streets on the south side of Irving.

The marked crosswalk at the relevant intersection of 14th Street and Irving Street Northwest (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 53) is 30 ft (curb to curb). The narrower portion of the street (that does not include the additional turn lane) is 20 ft (curb to curb). The walk phase is illuminated for 60 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 40 s.

Figure 54 illustrates what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the north side of Irving Street Northwest to the south side along 14th Street Northwest.

Figure 54. Photo. Illustration of what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the north side to the south side of Irving Street Northwest along 14th Street Northwest in Washington DC.

Location 19

The 19th data collection area is located at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Willard Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Figure 55 is an aerial view of this data collection area. Wisconsin Avenue runs southeast/northwest and is located in the center of the image. Willard Avenue runs east/west and is located in the upper portion of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of Willard Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Western Avenue. Researchers recorded pedestrians crossing northeast/southwest on Wisconsin Avenue between Willard Avenue and Western Avenue. Researchers were positioned on the southwest corner of Wisconsin and Willard Avenues. One researcher faced east and recorded pedestrians making east/west crossings in the southernmost marked intersection of Willard and Wisconsin Avenues. Another researcher faced southeast and recorded northeast/southwest crossings on Wisconsin Avenue between Willard Avenue and Western Avenue.

The distance from Willard Avenue to Western Avenue is approximately 342 ft. Figure 55 shows marked crossings are present at both Willard Avenue (solid red line) and Western Avenue (dotted red line) along Wisconsin Avenue. The AADT value was not available for this specific block. As a result the value was estimated based on the block of Wisconsin Avenue directly south of the relevant roadway segment. The estimated AADT in this area is 23.2 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽¹⁸⁾

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

Figure 55. Photo. Aerial view of location 19.⁽³⁹⁾

The neighborhood around this location is a combination of residential homes and commercial buildings. Along the southwest side of Wisconsin Avenue, there are many smaller retail shops. There are also several planters and elevated brick obstacles located between the roadway and sidewalk that can be seen in figure 56.

Figure 56. Photo. View of the planters located between the southbound lanes of traffic and the adjacent sidewalk along Wisconsin Avenue.

Along the northeast side of Wisconsin Avenue, there is a small convenience store, and entrance to a commercial building. This area, however, primarily serves as an entrance and awning to a large bus stop location. There are Metro (subway) entrances on both sides of Wisconsin Avenue near Western Avenue.

The relevant block of Wisconsin Avenue contains two lanes of southbound traffic. Near the intersection of Willard Avenue, two additional lanes act as dedicated left and right turn only lanes. There are also three lanes of northbound traffic. Near the intersection with Willard Avenue, an additional lane serves as a dedicated left turn only lane. There is a single bus stop along this side of the roadway near the intersection of Willard Avenue.

The marked crosswalk at the relevant intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Willard Avenue (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 55) is 80 ft (curb to curb). A median divides north and southbound traffic. It is approximately 5 ft wide, and as figure 57 shows, it is more difficult to traverse in some areas because of increased elevation and foliage. The walk phase is illuminated for 30 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 70 s.

Figure 57. Photo. Illustration of some of the foliage and elevation present in the median of Wisconsin Avenue.

Figure 58 illustrates what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the north side of Irving Street Northwest to the South side along 14th Street Northwest.

Figure 58. Photo. Illustration of what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the west side to the east side of Wisconsin Avenue along Willard Avenue.

Location 20

The 20th data collection area is located at the intersection of Clarendon Boulevard and North Edgewood Street in Arlington, VA. Figure 59 is an aerial view of this data collection area. Clarendon Boulevard runs northeast/southwest and is located toward the center of the image. North Edgewood runs north/south and is located in the center of the image. The solid red rectangle highlights the intersection of Clarendon Boulevard and North Edgewood Street. The dotted red rectangle highlights the intersection of Clarendon Boulevard and North Fillmore Street in Arlington, VA. Researchers recorded pedestrians crossing north/south Along Clarendon Boulevard between North Fillmore Street and North Edgewood Street. Researchers were positioned on the southwest corner of Clarendon Boulevard and North Edgewood Street. One researcher faced north and recorded pedestrians making north/south crossings in the westernmost marked intersection of Clarendon Boulevard and North Edgewood Street. Another researcher faced west and recorded north/south non-intersection crossings on Clarendon Boulevard between Edgewood Street and North Fillmore Street.

The distance from North Edgewood Street to North Fillmore Street is approximately 339.5 ft. Figure 59 shows marked crossings are present at both North Edgewood Street (solid red line) and North Fillmore Street (dotted red line) along Clarendon Boulevard. The AADT in this area is 13 (expressed in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100).⁽³⁶⁾

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

Figure 59. Photo. Aerial view of Location 20.⁽⁴⁰⁾

The neighborhood around this location is a combination of residential homes and commercial buildings. Along both the northern and southern sides of Clarendon Boulevard are various restaurants and commercial businesses. The relevant block of Clarendon Boulevard is a one-way street that contains two lanes of eastbound traffic. Metered parking is available on both sides of the roadway.

The marked crosswalk at the relevant intersection of Clarendon Boulevard and North Edgewood Street (as highlighted by the solid rectangular box in figure 59) is 44.5 ft (curb to curb). The walk phase is illuminated for 20 s, and the don’t walk phase is illuminated for 63 s. Figure 60 illustrates what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the south side of Clarendon Boulevard to the north side along North Edgewood Street.

Figure 60. Photo. Illustration of what a pedestrian might see as he or she attempts to cross from the south side to the north side of Clarendon Boulevard along North Edgewood Street.