Countdown Pedestrian SignalsPresentation by Jack Fleck, City/County of San Francisco

February 28, 2006

Countdown Questions

• Will cars speed up to make the light?• Will more pedestrians start to cross on the

Flashing Red Hand?• Is it better to start the countdown on the

Flashing Red Hand or on the Walk symbol?

• Will pedestrians be able to judge how much time it takes them to cross?

• Will the intersections be safer?

Pilot Project--2001

Countdown signals initially installed at 14 test locations, 9 assessed.

City eventually replaced pedestrian signals with Countdown Signals (over 700 intersections).

More energy-efficient, so electricity savings will eventually pay for LED device installation

Pilot Countdown Locations vs. Control Locations

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Countdow n-Equipped

Intersections

Planned CDSIntersections

No CDS-PlannedIntersections

Planned CDSIntersections -

Higher Ped. CrashesPre-Installation

Note: Countdow n reduction statistically significant, p<0.05

Co

llis

ion

s a

s %

of

Pre

-In

sta

lla

tio

n L

ev

el

Pre-InstallationPost-Installation

27

13

764 740 469

423

507

282

Additional Pilot Study Results

34%

13%14%

76%

8%9%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Finish Crossing on Red Run or Abort Crossing Rating of Ped Signal as "VeryHelpful"

Note: All differences statistically significant, p<0.01

% o

f Ped

estr

ians

Pre-InstallationPost-Installation

Citywide Countdown Results:Pedestrian Related Collisions

 2001 2002 2003 2004

With pedestrian signals (579 sites)

186 193 159 142

Without pedestrian signals (204 sites)

43 52 44 56

Citywide reported total

832 844 771 683

        

 

Before After Change % Change

With pedestrian signals (579 sites)

190 142 -48 -25%

Without pedestrian signals (204 sites)

48 56 8 16%

Countdown Signals:Impact on Vehicle Collisions

 2001 2002 2003 2004

With pedestrian signals (579 sites)

498 471 383 320

Without pedestrian signals (204 sites)

168 213 180 163

Citywide reported total1697 1796 1538 1315

        

 

Before After Change % Change

With pedestrian signals (579 sites)

485 320 -165 -34%

Without pedestrian signals (204 sites)

191 163 -28 -15%