Understanding pedestrian crossing behaviour: A case study in South Africa.

Abstract

Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 8-11 July 2013 "Transport and Sustainable Infrastructure", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.

Pedestrians are vulnerable road users and are mostly over-represented in road traffic crashes, particularly in the developing world. In South Africa, pedestrian fatalities account for about 40 percent of road traffic crashes. The majority of which occur when pedestrians are crossing roads. Behaviour patterns of both pedestrians and motorists significantly influence the occurrence of pedestrian crashes in South Africa. This study investigates the crossing behaviour of pedestrians negotiating different types of pedestrian crossing facilities in the City of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. Video-based observations were used to investigate patterns of pedestrian behaviour at different categories of pedestrian facilities. The patterns investigated include pedestrian walking speed, pedestrian delay, gaze behaviour and the nature of conflicts between pedestrians and motorists. In addition to video observations, interviews were conducted with pedestrians to improve understandings of how beliefs and attitudes towards traffic control devices and the traffic environment influenced pedestrians’ unsafe crossing behaviour. The findings of this study highlight important areas that should be targeted to address the pedestrian safety problem.