Exclusive Pedestrian Phases as a Measure to Improve Pedestrian Safety on Signalized Intersections

Abstract

Signal phases exclusively for pedestrians, i.e. exclusive pedestrian phase, demonstrate the idea of giving the priority to pedestrians at intersections located in area that attracts pedestrian flows, like central city zones. In this way pedestrian flows are served in safer way because the conflict between pedestrians and turning vehicles within the same phase are eliminated. However, other cities’ experience indicates that although exclusive pedestrian phase are envisaged to be safer form for pedestrian flow serving, the effects of their implementation could be opposite. This paper describes conditions for introduction and the way of an exclusive pedestrian phase implementation within a signal plan. Based on the example of signalized intersection with signal plan containing exclusive pedestrian phase, the advantages and disadvantages of this solution were analysed from the perspective of pedestrians and other road users. Also, the locations in domestic conditions, which are convenient for implementation of this type of signal plan, were identified.