Traffic signals at pedestrian crossings increase pedestrian safety when crossing the road at the cost of deteriorating vehicle traffic conditions. The duration of the pedestrian phase resulting from regulations is not always fully utilized by pedestrians. Detection systems that allow for the detection of a pedestrian’s presence on the road can allow for adjusting the phase duration to pedestrian needs. This paper presents simulation studies on the effectiveness of a new control strategy consisting of shortening the pedestrian phase if detection confirms the absence of a pedestrian on the road. The model and simulation program developed for the research are also described. The research results show that the proposed control strategy could improve vehicle traffic flow and reduce time losses for both vehicles and pedestrians.In order to increase pedestrian safety at street crossings, traffic signals are increasingly being used, especially in cases of high vehicle volumes and permitted high driving speeds (above 50 km/h). It should be emphasized, however, that improving safety at signalized crossings causes a deterioration in vehicle and pedestrian traffic conditions resulting from the prohibition of entry/crossing while the red signal is displayed on the traffic lights. (…)
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Source: Logistyka Magazine