2015 Traffic Signals 101

Topic 9

Pedestrian

2

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

• Need for Pedestrian Control• Safety

• The primary need for pedestrian control is to reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents involving pedestrians

• Traffic Flow• Where pedestrian flow is heavy, special

controls may be necessary to prevent reduction in capacity

3

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

• Pedestrian Timing Requirements• The pedestrian timing requirements

include:• The Walk Interval• Flashing Don’t Walk Interval (Pedestrian

Clearance)

4

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

• Pedestrian Timing Requirements• Walk: The walk interval is typically 4 to 7

seconds. This allows pedestrians adequate time to leave the curb and begin crossing

• MnDOT typically uses 7 seconds, based on MN MUTCD Guidance

• Under special circumstances, such as at a school crossing with numerous pedestrians, walk times may need to exceed 7 seconds

5

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

• Pedestrian Timing Requirements• Flashing Don’t Walk (FDW) or pedestrian

clearance is the time provided for a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk, after leaving the curb or shoulder, to travel to the far side of the traveled way or to a median (D = Distance)

• The calculation of the flashing don’t walk (pedestrian clearance) is:

FDW = D / R• R = Walking Rate, 3.5 feet per second

according to MN MUTCD

6

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

• MN MUTCD Figure 4E-2

7

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

• Ped Timing Recommended Practice• For a single roadway or a divided roadway

with a median island less than 6 feet wide, the pedestrian is provided time to cross the entire intersection, without stopping in the middle

• WALK = 7 seconds (this may be reduced to 4 seconds if it is necessary to minimize pedestrian timing considering the other factors)

8

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

• Ped Timing Recommended Practice• FDW = (D/R)• (time should not be less than WALK time and

the time may be reduced by the yellow interval IF it is necessary to minimize pedestrian timing considering other factors)

9

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

• Divided Roadways (with Median)• Option 1 - Cross to Median Only

– (for divided roadways with median islands over 6 feet wide with pedestrian indications and button in the median)

• Option 2 - Cross Completely

10

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

D1 D2

Ped Push Button

> 6’ Median

11

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

• Pedestrian Timing Requirements Example

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

• Pedestrian Timing Requirements Example• Assume a walking speed of 3.5 feet per second

with no special pedestrian requirements• The flashing don’t walk would then be:

• FDW = 82 feet / 3.5 feet per second = 23 seconds

• Total Split Time (given vehicle yellow = 4 seconds and all-red = 1 second) is 35 seconds

Excel

WalkInterval

Pedestrian Change Interval(use as FDW in this example)

7 sec 23 sec

Vehicle Green Interval Y R

5 sec

Total Split Time = 35 sec

13

Offi

ce o

f Tr

affi

c, S

afe

ty,

an

d

Tech

nolo

gy

Pedestrian

START CROSSING

Watch ForVehicles

DON’T START

Finish CrossingIf Started

PEDESTRIANSSHOULD NOT BEIN CROSSWALK

FLASHING

WAITHERE

PUSHBUTTON

FORWALK

SIGNAL CROSS TOCENTER

PUSHBUTTON

FORWALK

SIGNAL

Sign Specifications: 6 x 6 inchesBlack legend on white background,Except the DON’T WALK is orange.

in medians at corners