Empirically testing an approach for encouraging drivers to yield to pedestrians at marked crosswalks with no traffic lights
Background and Objectives
With traffic-light maintenance proving to be a hurdle in sustainable traffic management in Japan, marked crosswalks (pedestrian crossings with no traffic lights, also known as zebra crossings) are likely to become increasingly prevalent in the country. Drivers are supposed to yield to pedestrians at marked crosswalks, but only a minuscule percentage of drivers in Japan do so. Appropriate action is required to address this problem. In other countries, marked crosswalks are fitted with rectangular rapid flashing beacons that alert drivers, thereby improving the convenience of crosswalk pedestrians. The proposed study will review best practices outside Japan for installing marked crossings along with measures for encouraging drivers to stop at them. Thereafter, it will test the use of beacon-based alert equipment and discuss the potential for rolling out beacon-lit crosswalks across Japan.
Expected Results
With Japan’s population shrinking and aging, prefectural police headquarters have explored approaches to delivering sustainable traffic safety infrastructure. Given this, an alternative to conventional traffic lights is required in future efforts to maintain traffic safety infrastructure. Particularly, they highlight the need for a new approach that focuses on crosswalk infrastructure for pedestrian safety. Japan and other countries have already examined the use of new types of crosswalks that represent alternatives to traffic-lighted intersections. Japan is currently piloting crosswalks that use beacons or electronic displays. However, little is known about the effects of these measures. The proposed project will examine how the use of beacons (as used in some countries other than Japan) affects drivers and pedestrians to obtain insights for ensuring the safety and smooth operation of marked crosswalks in Japan. Based on the findings, we will propose augmentative infrastructure for facilitating the operation of marked crosswalks without relying on traffic lights, thereby contributing to enhance traffic safety