Guidelines for Pedestrian Crossing Facilities at Traffic Signals
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Guidelines for Pedestrian Crossing Facilities at Traffic Signals Network Operations Directorate Printed copies are uncontrolled unless marked D19#532308 otherwise. Refer to iRoads for current version. September 2020 GUIDELINES FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS - September 2020 Page intentionally left blank. Document No: D19#532308 Page 2 of 39 GUIDELINES FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS - September 2020 Contents 1 PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................. 6 2 SCOPE .................................................................................................................................. 6 3 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES ......................................................................................... 6 4 DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................................ 6 5 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................ 7 5.1 LOCATION ................................................................................................................... 7 5.2 VISIBILITY .................................................................................................................... 7 5.3 SPEED ......................................................................................................................... 7 5.4 CRASH RECORD ......................................................................................................... 8 5.5 PEDESTRIAN NUMBERS AND TYPES ....................................................................... 8 5.6 MOVEMENT AND PLACE ............................................................................................ 9 5.7 GAP ACCEPTANCE AT UNSIGNALISED MID-BLOCK LOCATIONS ........................ 11 5.8 HEAVY VEHICLES ..................................................................................................... 13 5.9 SITE CONTEXT .......................................................................................................... 13 5.10 SAFE SYSTEM APPROACH ...................................................................................... 14 5.11 OTHER CONSIDERATIONS ...................................................................................... 14 6 OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................................. 15 6.1 FLASHING YELLOW ‘CAUTION’ LIGHT PROVISION ................................................ 15 6.2 PEDESTRIAN COUNTDOWN TIMERS ...................................................................... 15 6.3 INVITATION-TO-CROSS ............................................................................................ 16 6.4 CLEARANCE TIME .................................................................................................... 16 6.5 PEDESTRIAN ESTABLISHMENT TIME ..................................................................... 17 6.6 STAGED CROSSINGS ............................................................................................... 18 7 SIGNALISED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES ....................................................... 20 7.1 PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS WITH NO PEDESTRIAN ASPECTS ............................. 21 7.2 EXCLUSIVE PEDESTRIAN PHASES ......................................................................... 22 7.3 PARALLEL WALKS .................................................................................................... 24 7.4 FULLY CONTROLLED CROSSING ........................................................................... 32 7.5 MID-BLOCK PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS .................................................................. 34 8 ASSOCIATED CROSSING FACILITIES AT INTERSECTIONS .......................................... 36 8.1 SLIP LANES ............................................................................................................... 36 9 REFERENCES AND RELATED DOCUMENTS .................................................................. 38 Document No: D19#532308 Page 4 of 39 GUIDELINES FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS - September 2020 Document Control Bassam Abu Shamleh - A/Manager Traffic Management Services, Network Owner Operations Custodian Maryely Rueda - Traffic Services Coordinator, Network Operations Document Number D19#532308 Issue Date September 2020 Review Frequency Annually Amendments Revision Section / Page Revision Date Description of Key Changes Number No. 0 All Document Developed September 2020 Document No: D19#532308 Page 5 of 39 GUIDELINES FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS - September 2020 1 PURPOSE The purpose of this guideline is to provide best practice advice on the provision of pedestrian crossing facilities at traffic signals for safe and efficient operation. 2 SCOPE The criteria contained in this guideline applies to all permanent traffic signal controlled pedestrian crossing facilities where Main Roads is the final asset owner. Non-signalised crossings, school guard crossings with or without flashing lights, pedestrian crossings at railway crossings and bicycle crossing facilities are not within the scope of this guideline. This guideline outlines possible treatments that facilitate pedestrian movements at traffic signals. Unlike previous numeric warrants, the intention of this guideline is to provide guidance rather than a set of rules. This guideline should be read in conjunction with Main Roads Network Operations Traffic Signals Approval Policy, and with reference to all other documents listed in Section 9. 3 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES Under the Road Traffic Code 2000, Regulation 297, the Commissioner of Main Roads, has the sole authority to erect, establish or display, and alter or remove any traffic control signal in Western Australia (WA). Notwithstanding the above, it should be noted, that the Commissioner of Main Roads has delegated authority for approval of traffic control signals exclusively to the Executive Director of Network Operations (EDNO). To this extent, Main Roads’ Network Operations Directorate (NOD) must formally approve all traffic signal installations and modifications where Main Roads is the final asset owner. 4 DEFINITIONS The following definitions apply in this guideline: Term Definition ASD Approach Sight Distance Clearance Time The time period for pedestrians having stepped off the kerb at the end of the ‘invitation-to-cross’ period to safely complete their crossing. During this time a flashing red figure or countdown timer is displayed CSD Crossing Sight Distance Invitation-to-cross The period allocated to pedestrians to begin their crossing movement (green figure is displayed on pedestrian lantern) KSI Killed or Serious Injury Pedestrian Applies only for timed red arrow control Establishment Time The time allocated to pedestrians to establish themselves on the crossing before traffic is released Slip Lane As defined in the Road Traffic Code 2000, Regulation 3 means an area of carriageway for vehicles turning left that is separated, at some point, from other parts of the road by some form of painted or traffic island Traffic Control Signal As defined in the Road Traffic Code 2000, Regulation 3, means any light or lights (coloured or otherwise), however operated, for the control or regulation of traffic, by the use of an illuminated word or words, an illuminated symbol or symbols, a coloured light or coloured lights or any combination of those things Document No: D19#532308 Page 6 of 39 GUIDELINES FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS - September 2020 5 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS When assessing a pedestrian crossing facility at traffic signals, the process should focus on why it is considered desirable to provide specific assistance for pedestrians at a particular location. Practitioners should consider safety and the impact on intersection efficiency and capacity, including the impact on public transport and other sustainable modes, as well as whether the facility will result in undesirable pedestrian behaviour. A range of factors must be considered as part of the overall process for determining the most appropriate type of crossing facility. These factors are discussed further in this section. 5.1 LOCATION One of the primary factors affecting crossing facilities is the environment in which the crossing facility is located, the intersection geometry and the level of pedestrian safety for vulnerable road users. City centre environments are frequently characterised by lower speeds, higher levels of congestion and high pedestrian, cyclist and public transport use. This often requires pedestrian priority measures in order to balance competing demands. In contrast, rural environments are typically characterised by higher speeds, lower levels of congestion and fewer pedestrians and cyclists. As a result, signal operation for rural environments focus on safely managing high-speed approaches and providing for higher numbers of heavy vehicles. Suburban environments present a challenging mix of these characteristics as they are often characterised by high speeds during the off-peak periods and capacity constrained conditions during the peak periods. This requires careful consideration and it is critical to ensure an appropriate balance of both safety and operational efficiency. 5.2 VISIBILITY Pedestrians must have visibility of, and be visible to, approaching