Conditions that Influence Drivers' Yielding Behavior at Uncontrolled Crossings and Intersections with Traffic Signal Controls

There is a dearth of studies on how pedestrian who are blind might positively influence driver yielding in different travel situations. This project assessed common pedestrian behaviors (head turning, holding a cane, taking a step, holding up a hand, exaggerated cane movement, standing without a cane) on yielding rate for right turning traffic at lighted intersections as well as at entry and exit lanes at roundabouts. Data replicated previous findings on yielding rates for displaying a cane (about 60%), holding up a hand (65% to 80%), or taking one step into the roadway (80% to 100%) and also showed that head and gaze related behaviors do not increase yielding. In some cases, adding a head turn or gaze behavior decreases yielding rates. At the roundabout, yielding rates at exit lanes were always lower than at the entry lanes or the light controlled intersection. The outcomes have implications for O&M instruction. O&M students who benefit from a forward-facing head position to align at a crossing, or to remain aligned during a crossing, do not need to be concerned that a lack of head movement and face gaze will cause drivers to yield less often. Other students who must turn their heads to visually monitor potential threats from turning vehicles, likewise, need not be apprehensive that their head movements or gazing will likely reduce the drivers’ yielding.

• Record URL:
  http://www.wmich.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/u428/2015/TRCLC_RR_14_04.pdf
• Record URL:
  http://www.wmich.edu/transportationcenter
• 

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $79,954.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT13-G-UTC60

  TRC 14-4

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Department of Transportation

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Dunn, Denise

• Performing Organizations:

  Western Michigan University

  1903 W. Michigan Avenue
  Kalamazoo, MI  United States  49008-5241
• Principal Investigators:

  Emerson, Robert

• Start Date: 20140701
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20150831
• Source Data: RiP Project 36934

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Blind persons; Deaf persons; Head motion range; Mobility; Pedestrian movement; Risk assessment; Roundabouts; Travel behavior
• Geographic Terms: Michigan
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01532768
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Center for Livable Communities
• Contract Numbers: DTRT13-G-UTC60, TRC 14-4
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 6 2014 1:01AM