Minimizing Distracted Pedestrians in Crosswalks at Signalized Intersections

Distracted pedestrian injuries and deaths at intersections have increased sharply in recent years, especially among young adults. Each year, over 68,000 pedestrians are injured, and 1,400 pedestrians are killed in collisions with motor vehicles at intersections. One of the main causes of these accidents is distracted walking, such as texting or talking on the phone while crossing the street. To address this problem, several lawmakers across the United States are proposing plans to reduce distracted pedestrians, especially in crosswalks at signalized intersections. One proposal is to outlaw pedestrian texting while walking on roadways. This would help to ensure that pedestrians are paying attention to their surroundings and are less likely to be involved in an accident.

This study aims to identify innovative ways to inform pedestrians at signalized intersections about the dangers of distraction and dissuade them from the usage of electronic devices while using crosswalks. The study will identify signage, design, and informational programs that can be used to mitigate the incidence of pedestrian distraction.

The project team will conduct an extensive review of literature concerning the existing innovations, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and traditional countermeasures such as high visibility signs, rapid-flashing beacons, audio-visual cues, etc. that are currently being used to improve pedestrian safety at crosswalks. Specific focus will be concentrated on the reduction of distractions amongst pedestrians at signalized crosswalks.

Furthermore, a comprehensive survey will be conducted to understand individual perception of safety amongst road users, including pedestrians. The project team will identify several signalized intersections in the District of Columbia with high pedestrian volume and formulate a series of questions to capture what pedestrians consider to be distracting at those intersections. Relevant demographic data will also be collected to understand different perspectives of pedestrians. In addition, the road geometry of selected intersections such as crosswalk length, number of lanes, etc., will also be noted to correlate the pedestrian’s perception of safety at different types of intersections.

USDOT Priorities:

The project supports USDOT’s priority of Safety in transportation and infrastructure. The research aims to make roadways/crosswalks safer for pedestrians. The project will be sustainable through a combination of public education and enforcement, as well as investment in engineering improvements to crosswalks.

University:

Howard University

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Luwei Zeng, Dr. Claudia Marin, Dr. Stephen Arhin

PI Contact Information:

saarhin@howard.edu

Howard University, Washington D.C.

Funding Source(s) and Amounts Provided (by each agency or organization):

Federal - $50,000 and Non-federal - $40,000

Total Project Cost:

$90000

Agency ID or Contract Number:

69A3552348328

Dates:

June 2023 to May 2025

Implementation of Research Outcomes:

The analysis of pedestrian behavior at signalized intersections in Washington, DC has yielded three key frameworks to enhance pedestrian safety:

Evidence-Based Enforcement Strategy A data-driven framework guides enforcement timing and location, prioritizing high-risk periods when electronic device usage and conversation patterns peak. This framework enables authorities to optimize enforcement activities based on observed behavioral patterns across different intersection types.
Engineering Solutions Framework A decision-support system helps engineers select appropriate safety improvements based on intersection characteristics, temporal patterns, and social dynamics. The framework accounts for varying distraction patterns across locations and allows customized solutions that address specific intersection challenges.
Targeted Education Campaign Framework A structured approach for awareness campaigns incorporates age-specific messaging and location-based interventions. The framework emphasizes demographic considerations and social context, recognizing that group settings and younger age groups show higher distraction tendencies.

Impacts/Benefits of Implementation:

The implementation of these research-based frameworks is expected to generate meaningful improvements in pedestrian safety and community well-being:

Safety Improvements: Enhanced pedestrian awareness at high-risk intersections, and reduced frequency of multiple distracting behaviors. Improved compliance with traffic signals and crossing regulations
Community Benefits: Strengthened pedestrian safety culture across diverse urban environments. Enhanced quality of life through safer street environments, more efficient allocation of enforcement resources
Economic and Social Impact: Improved community livability through enhanced pedestrian infrastructure. Development of evidence-based policies that address the relationship between social dynamics and distraction patterns.

The implementation of these frameworks provides a sustainable approach to improving pedestrian safety in urban environments while offering a model that can be adapted for use in other cities.

Project Number:

2411

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Minimizing Distracted Pedestrians in Crosswalks at Signalized Intersections

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