Designing for Pedestrian Safety

Transcription

1 Designing for Pedestrian Safety Roundabouts: How They Work for Pedestrians Presented by: Fred Ranck FHWA Resource Center Safety Design Engineer October 5, 2010

2 Roundabouts: Learning Objectives At the end of this module, you will be able to: Explain why roundabouts reduce crashes Describe the safety benefits for pedestrians and motor vehicles of roundabouts Describe how roundabout safety depends on correct design 6 2

3 Roundabouts are a type (or subset) of circular intersections All circular intersections Roundabouts Others Rotaries Neighborhood traffic circles Bottom Line: Not all circular intersections are roundabouts!!! 6 3

4 Essential roundabout characteristics Separated sidewalks direct peds to crosswalks Splitter island Slow speed exit Truck apron Crosswalk 1 car length back Lots of deflection = slow speeds throughout Slow speed entry = yield 6 4

5 A roundabout is not: 1. A New England style rotary, with large size & high speeds 6 5

6 Kingston, NY Traffic Circle No control of entry High speed Large diameter (600 ft +) High speed weaving here Photo source: NYSDOT 6 6

7 Kingston, NY Traffic Circle reconstructed to Roundabout Smaller diameter (Typically feet) Photo source: NYSDOT 6 7

8 A roundabout is not: 2. A Washington DC style circle, with traffic signal controls 6 8

9 A roundabout is not: 3. A traffic calming circle 6 9

10 A roundabout is not: 4. Paris 6 10

11 Vehicle-Pedestrian Conflicts at Intersections 16 Conflicts 8 Conflicts 6 11

12 Why roundabouts are safer for all users: Slow speeds for all traffic Reduced conflicts Yield on entry No left turns CRF (all users): About 54% overall 27% pedestrian crashes Up to 76% fatalities and serious injuries 6 12

13 Pedestrian movements at roundabout 6 13

14 Advantages for Pedestrians Pedestrian crosses only one direction of traffic at a time Splitter island provides a refuge and shortens the traveled distance Reduced vehicle speeds Before After Photo Source: Ken Sides Photo Source: Anthony Butzek (City of Asheville, NC) 6 14

15 Narrow entry slows drivers 6 15

16 1. At entry lane Well defined crossings & splitter islands 6 16

17 2. At exit lane Well defined crossings & splitter islands 6 17

18 Truck apron keeps roadway narrower 6 18

19 Multi lane roundabouts have potential for multiple threat and higher speeds 6 19

20 Pedestrian Safety Findings NCHRP

21 Roundabouts and sight impaired pedestrians: Circulating traffic masks the sound cues that sight impaired pedestrians use to identify gaps and masks the sound of yielding vehicles 6 21

22 Center Mounted Lighting W HPS 28 Lux 6 22

23 Approach Mounted Lighting W HPS 25 Lux 6 23

24 Raised Crosswalk in Golden, CO NCHRP 3 78A 6 24

25 Raised Crosswalk in Golden, CO NCHRP 3 78A 6 25

26 HAWK in Golden, CO NCHRP 3 78A 6 26

27 HAWK in Golden, CO NCHRP 3 78A 6 27

28 Possible Mitigation For 2-lane Roundabout Ped signal at selected leg(s) Signalized Pedestrian Crossing 6 28

29 Possible Mitigation For 2-lane Roundabout Ped signal at selected leg(s) Signalized Pedestrian Crossing 6 29

30 Roundabout Learning Outcomes You should now be able to: Explain why roundabouts reduce crashes Describe the safety benefits for pedestrians and motor vehicles of roundabouts Describe how roundabout safety depends on correct design 6 30

31 Questions? 6 31