High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
(OP)
I am looking for an alternative pedestrian crossing that would not require a pedestrian bridge. This area is a 55mph county highway and the cost of building a bridge is not justified in this area. I was just wondering what other alternatives other than a bridge were out there.





RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
Is it acceptable to slow traffic down (i.e. stoplight, speed bumps or stop sign)?
How much sight distance is available?
What volume of peds and vehicles do you anticipate?
Have there been past vehicle/pedestrian accidents/incidents in this area?
How wide is the driving surface (two or four lane highway?) and is it paved?
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
Seriouly though, if you can't go under or over, what other options do you have left other than through?
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
It seems to me that measures can be taken to de-water the tunnel sfter the flooding, possibly with an automatic sump pump system hooked to a solar array and a battery bank above the flood line (assuming there is an above). The system could be remotely activated once the flooding had subsided. A video link might be handy too to monitor the situation.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
Sorry, it's been a long week.
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
If there is an existing crossing located within several hundred feet, you could put up a barrier and routr the pedestrians to the other highway crossing.
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
coloeng...yep, it's been a long week!
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
What about a solar powered on demand crossing light that the pedestrians could activate when they want to cross which would then stop traffic with a red light and let them cross. When there is no one with a request to cross, the traffic has a green light.
rmw
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
I don't think it would be unused, just unused for the intended purpose. Probably used in the same way as the ones in cities, shelter/toilets for deadbeats. And muggers.
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
Like a Puffin/Pelican crossing?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffin_crossing
55mph might be too high a speed for signals (certainly in the UK) on an otherwise unconstrained section of highway.
If you were to provide an uncontrolled crossing, with dropped kerbs and tactile paving and associated warning signing for motorists, would you be opening yourself to liability issues? If an accident occurred over here at such a crossing, we'd probably have a justification that such a facility was only an invitation or opportunity to cross, but it would ultimately be down to the pedestrian to judge their own safety. Would you have the same protection as the Engineer or would the crossing need to be essentially 'idiot proof'?
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928
"I'm searching for the questions, so my answers will make sense." - Stephen Brust
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
I do not think there are any viable alternatives to above or below grade crossings. (in this case)
I cannot recall (other than signalized intersection) where a crossing would be permitted at this speed.
You could:
drop the speed, install cant. flashers, install warning signs.
Save up for the overhead bridge.
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
In several suburban areas around Chicago, the speed limits on major business highways are arranged from 45 to 55 mph. There are traffic lights but rather far apart. Every once a while, there are person killed by taking short cut and competing with cars. Whenever I hear that, I feel bad for both. Also, adding extra traffic lights isn't an ideal option, without proper study on roadway geometries, surrounding environments, traffic volume and pattern, more problems could arise, such as running traffic lights. Lowering speed limit sounds good, but nobody would vote fot it when a 30 min drive becomes 45 or more.
Properly planned, designed, light duty pedestrain bridge seems a better solution. The design/construction cost can be offset by saving a few lifes, also, maight be paid by commercial advertisements.
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
We're really all shooting in the dark until you answer civilman72's questions! Posting alink to an aerial photo in Google maps or Live Search maps would help, too.
However, you could spend hundreds of thousands for a structure that may or may not get used (after working on a college campus for 3 1/2 years, I bet it wouldn't), or, for >= $30,000 (1) , put in a device shown to reduce pedestrian crashes by >50%. (2)
That's the chicken run, er, [ital]pedestrian refuge [/ital]described by hokie. (1)
References:
(1) ht
(2) http://i
"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928
"I'm searching for the questions, so my answers will make sense." - Stephen Brust
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
"However, you could spend hundreds of thousands for a structure that may or may not get used (after working on a college campus for 3 1/2 years, I bet it wouldn't)"
I tend to work on the basis that, whilst pedestrians may go to environmentalist heaven long before car drivers, they are also the laziest of all road users (understandably). Give them the shortest practicable route at all times, otherwise they'll just take it anyway, but in doing so ruin your beautiful landscaping and grand plans with their desire lines.
hokie66 said;
"...I don't think it [a pedestrian underpass] would be unused, just unused for the intended purpose. Probably used in the same way as the ones in cities, shelter/toilets for deadbeats. And muggers."
And that's the problem of perception. We can demonstrate that a ped underpass is infinately safer than any at-grade crossing, but that idea of 'stranger danger' seems too strong to overcome. It's not unreasonable, and some of the terrible designs that we've forced peds to use in the past have basically come back to haunt us and created a situation where all similar facilities are viewed with suspicion. But any new ped tunnels now seem to be designed to be as short, open and light as possible without planting at the entrances and with entrance ramps long enough that blind spots are removed.
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
The same amount of money could be used for carefully targeted low cost safety improvements over the entire town, with a larger overall safety impact.
For example, I'm working on a high risk rural roads funding application that will treat a dozen sites for about half the cost of a ped bridge. In the 5 years I've worked at my county, we've had no pedestrian fatalities on county roads, and 10 run-off-road fatalities. Despite the fact that I have long been a bike/ped advocate, and participate with our MPO's bike/ped committee, I'm going after the single vehicle lane departure crashes. Why? Because they are >80% of our fatalities, compared to 0%.
"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928
"I'm searching for the questions, so my answers will make sense." - Stephen Brust
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
"One prevented fatality pays for the pedestrian bridge or tunnel. I dispute your premise that it is not warranted."
Unfortunately in road safety it never seems to be as easy as that.
Structures ARE expensive and are notorious for under-use/mis-use if they are not located exactly. As I alluded to in an earlier post, peds (unless they are simply admiring the scenery) want direct routes to and from their origins and destinations. Making them negotiate numerous ramps, stairs and landings doesn't appeal to many, and makes pedestrians feel like they are an afterthought in a motorised jungle.
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
"The same amount of money could be used for carefully targeted low cost safety improvements over the entire town, with a larger overall safety impact."
I've just been involved in a number of accident studies for a Local Authority of a mainly rural nature, but with some large market towns and suburbs bordering on the edge of a large city.
We managed to identify 30 schemes that could be carried out within this coming years budget of approx. £500,000. These included civils works at single sites and on routes and education and training campaigns.
This compares with a single site that was identified in last years study (and is about to be built) which cost £200,000. Sadly balancing the budget does matter, even in matters of safety.
BTW, does the breakdown of single vehicle run-off-road accidents in your locality match with the figure available for the UK, and shown on this webpage?
htt
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
We have a particular problem with single vehicle motorcycle crashes. Motorcyclists often favor unrestricted exhausts, in the hypothesis that "loud pipes save lives." They look at me funny when I reply, "But trees can't hear."
Overall US experience is similar. See htt
PS: I like the UK's "Think!" campaign - especially the Julie PSA. Grab them by the guts, and hearts and minds will follow! Any agency that used it here would be sued for causing unnecessary mental anguish.
"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928
"I'm searching for the questions, so my answers will make sense." - Stephen Brust
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
Not to derail the thread too far, but I believe the Swedes have had some success in reducing motorcycle accidents as an unintended consequence of placing wire rope barrier down the centre of single carriageway roads to prevent head-on collisions involving cars/lorries.
I think the evidence pointed to m/cyclists slowing down due to the presence of this 'cheese wire' that was ready to amputate their limbs as soon as they hit it at any speed.
Sometimes I think we can make highways appear too forgiving, and perhaps overlook the fear factor as a psychological 'calming' measure.
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
My personal favorite though is, build a lightweight pedestrian bridge. Use it as a pilot program for a more permanent solution. If nobody ends up using it, just tear it down when it wears out and count your blessings you didn't invest in a significant structure. I'm sure you could design something creatively that fits the budget using a creative application of trusses and lighweight materials.
What's the span requirements?
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928
"I'm searching for the questions, so my answers will make sense." - Stephen Brust
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
<http://new
Most pedestrian fatalities I read about in the newspaper that involve corssing a 55 mph rural road happen late at night- likely involve drunks. Maype a corssing overhad flahing light similar to railroad overpass warnings , but which require pedestrian input.
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
http://www.wtop.com/?sid=1654423&nid=732
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
just reading this thread for the first time this morning and saw the following article...not endorsing the idea...just thought it was interesting
http://www.wtop.com/?sid=1654423&nid=732
The article states that similar devices have been used in the UK.
Given the photo showing the striped crossing in the background I'm assuming they're talking about zebra crossings. In which case the zig-zags actually run down the channel lines and centreline of the road, not in the middle of the lane as in the picture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_crossing
@kslee1000
On a 55mph road we'd be reluctant to use signals of any sort, pedestrian or vehicular, however we'd happily put in a dropped kerb (with or without tactile paviours) and let any adventurous peds take their chances...but then, Darwin was British.
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
Ped Overbridge/Underpass
Pros; Separates peds and vehicles completely,
Cons; Expensive, must be accurately sited on the desire line to be an attractive route.
At-Grade Signals
Pros; Offers some protection to those using the crossing, less expensive than bridge/tunnel,
Cons; 55mph is a high speed for stand alone signals (see attacment for UK view)
Unsignalised At-Grade Xing (Drop kerbs and tactiles only)
Pros; Cheap
Cons; No protection for peds other than 'common sense' when to use crossing
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
RE: High Speed Pedestrian Crossings
www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/08063/index.htm
A statistically significant 5 mph reduction in the 85% speed is nothing to sneeze at.
"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928
"I'm searching for the questions, so my answers will make sense." - Stephen Brust