Can changing the timing of traffic signals improve pedestrian safety?
Portland State University (PSU) researchers want to find out. To help make Oregon's road safer for everyone, the university is launching a new study. Funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the project is led by Sirisha Kothuri of PSU and Patrick Singleton of Utah State University.
Many states, including Oregon, are adopting the Safe System approach to improve traffic safety. One key element of this approach is safer speeds.
Most pedestrian crashes occur on higher-speed, multi-lane arterials. It is generally accepted that automobile speeds play an important role in safety: The faster a car is traveling, the greater the risk of severe injury to vulnerable road users (like people who are walking or bicycling) in a collision.
To manage speed in the urban environment, one emerging strategy is to use traffic signals. Traditional traffic signal timing strategies have prioritized vehicle travel at the expense of other users such as pedestrians, and do not directly account for the safety of road users.
Traffic signal control strategies to improve safety and the pedestrian experience exist, but few have been evaluated for their effectiveness. Strategies include reducing cycle lengths, adjusting signal timing based on traffic volumes, time of day schedule...
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