Research on pedestrian behavior and traffic characteristics at unsignalized midblock crosswalk - Case study in Beijing

Pedestrians are vulnerable road users of the traffic system. In China, many pedestrians lack a knowledge of traffic rules and are not fully aware of safety problems. A high-risk area for pedestrians, the unsignalized midblock crosswalk is a conflict zone between pedestrians and through vehicles. In this paper, behaviors and traffic characteristics of pedestrians walking through the unsignalized midblock crosswalk without being disturbed by other pedestrians are analyzed. The data, including pedestrian speed, waiting delay, and clustering, are obtained by counting and measuring with a video camera. Pedestrian behaviors are analyzed with the use of comparisons between various categories and through statistics analysis. Pedestrian behaviors are interpreted further by analyzing pedestrians' tactics when they cross the street and the valid gap in the vehicle flow, based on observations and measurements of pedestrians starting to walk across and of vehicle arrivals. Finally, the similarities and differences between this research and other research is explained by comparing pedestrian speed studies. Results of this research will not only help improve research on pedestrian characteristics at interrupted pedestrian facilities but will also help in developing traffic safety audit work and related countermeasures.