Investigating of Pedestrian’s Gap Acceptance at Unsignalized Mid-Block Crosswalks

Abstract

Pedestrians are considered as one of the most vulnerable components in traffic system. They are at higher risk of serious accidents than other road users because they do not have personal protective equipment to increase their safety while using the road. This article aims to study the pedestrian gap acceptance, which is one of the key factors affecting decision-making processes for safe crossing. The study was conducted by gathering the actual pedestrian crossing behavior at 6 unsignalized mid-block crosswalks in Bangkok. A total of 1,275 one-stage road crossing circumstances were found. The results showed that the average gap acceptance of male and female were 6.12 and 6.24 seconds, young, middle-aged and elderly were 6.03, 6.18 and 6.33 seconds, single and group crossing were 6.17 and 6.81 seconds, crossing during peak and off-peak periods were 6.72 and 5.78 seconds, respectively, and all factors were statically different. In addition, critical gap in various situations estimated from Raff's method were presented. It was found that the critical gaps of pedestrians crossing were ranging between 3.73 and 5.75 seconds. The results of the study can be used as information for further improvement and design of the crossing facilities to make them safer for pedestrian.