Countdown Pedestrian Signals Legibility and Comprehension Without Flashing Hand

completed

The purpose of this study was to conduct two human factors field studies. Phase I examined comprehension of the countdown pedestrian signal (CPS) with and without the flashing DON’T WALK (FDW) indication, and the effect of removing the FDW on pedestrians with low vision. Three results were found: 1) Pedestrians were more likely to consider crossing with the CPS Alone than with the CPS + FDW; 2) participants had little difficulty judging the time required to cross for three different distances without changing their speed; and 3) the removal of the FDW from the CPS + FDW display had no negative impact on low-vision pedestrians' decision to cross during the CPS. Phase II evaluated the effect of removing the FDW from the CPS on pedestrian behavior. Participants were naturally observed pedestrians at two intersections. Following a baseline period, the FDW was removed. Data were collected immediately after FDW removal and six months later. Regardless of the CPS present, pedestrians were likely to begin crossing during the pedestrian change interval. Finishing times show statistically significant fewer people in the crosswalk after the cross-traffic was released at three of the four sites during the CPS Alone Follow-up condition than during the CPS + FDW condition. This project was conducted under the Traffic Control Device Consortium Pooled Fund Study.