Are pedestrian countdown signals effective in reducing crashes?

Objective: The time left to cross the street displayed on pedestrian countdown signals can be used by pedestrians as well as drivers of vehicles, though these signals are primarily provided to help pedestrians make better crossing decisions at signalized intersections. This article presents an evaluation of the effect of pedestrian countdown signals in reducing vehicle-pedestrian crashes and all crashes at signalized intersections.

Methods: A before-and-after study approach was adopted to evaluate the effect considering pedestrian countdown signals installed over a 5-month period at 106 signalized intersections in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Results: Analysis conducted at 95 percent confidence level showed that there has been a statistically insignificant decrease in vehicle-pedestrian crashes but a statistically significant decrease in all (includes vehicle-pedestrian and vehicle(s) only involved) crashes after the installation of pedestrian countdown signals. No negative consequences were observed after the installation of pedestrian countdown signals. Sixty-eight percent of the signalized intersections saw a decrease in the total number of all crashes, and 4 percent of the signalized intersections have not seen any change in the number of all crashes after the installation of pedestrian countdown signals. Improvements in terms of decrease in the total number of all crashes was high at signalized intersections with greater than 10 crashes per year during the before period. Likewise, decrease in the number of all crashes was high at signalized intersections with traffic volume between 7 AM to 7 PM greater than 20,000 vehicles during the before period.

Conclusions: Based on results obtained, it can be concluded that pedestrians as well as drivers are making better decisions using the time left to cross the street displayed on pedestrian countdown signals at signalized intersections in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina.