Keywords

Pedestrian Safety, Signals, MUTCD, Detection Screen Messages, Wait Timers

Abstract

Pedestrian safety at signalized intersections remains a growing concern in urban environments, necessitating effective communication between pedestrians and traffic control devices. Traditional approaches often prove inadequate in addressing these challenges. This study utilized virtual reality simulation to examine how innovative detection systems and wait-time indicators affect pedestrian behavior under varying environmental conditions. Ninety participants evenly distributed across three age groups experienced 18 crossing scenarios that differed by detection type, wait indication, crossing time, crossing distance, visibility, traffic density, and time of day. Key behavioral measures including start-up lost time, crossing speed, and total crossing duration were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, while eye-tracking metrics including time to first notice and fixation duration. Detection messages with pedestrian symbols demonstrated significantly higher noticeability and comprehension compared to text-only alternatives. Circular wait timers were linked to reduced start-up lost time and overall reduced crossing duration, particularly in scenarios involving long wait times and multi-lane crossings. Eye-tracking data revealed that circular timers captured pedestrian attention quicker than vertical formats. Nighttime, poor visibility, and wider crossings influenced both start-up delays and crossing times, highlighting the need for adaptable signal designs that maintain effectiveness across various real-world settings. Exit survey responses reinforced the preference for detection messages with symbols and circular timers, especially under challenging visibility and traffic conditions. These findings underscore the influence of visual signals and environmental conditions on pedestrian decision-making and support the use of virtual reality as a safe and effective platform for evaluating pedestrian infrastructure innovations. conditions. These findings underscore the influence of visual signals and environmental conditions on pedestrian decision-making and support the use of virtual reality as a safe platform for evaluating pedestrian infrastructure innovations.

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Fall

Committee Chair

Abou-Senna, Hatem

Degree

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (M.S.C.E.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Civil Engineering

Format

PDF

Identifier

DP0029767

Document Type

Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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