Browsing by Subject "Level of service"
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Item Assessing the Impact of Pedestrian-Activated Crossing Systems(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2020-05) Hourdos, John; Dirks, Peter; Lehrke, Derek; Parikh, Gordon; Davis, Gary; Cheong, ChristopherPedestrian-Activated Crossing (PAC) systems have been shown to have a generally positive impact on driver yield rates. However, there has been insufficient research on the effect PAC treatments have on pedestrian crash rates, and there is little guidance as to when and where each treatment should be used. This study estimates the effects of PACs on pedestrian crash rates using Monte Carlo simulation and examines the relationships between driver yield rates and a variety of treatments and site designs by conducting an observational study using video data from 34 locations. The simulation outcomes suggests that while the percentage of yielding drivers might be a useful indicator of pedestrian level of service, it is less helpful as safety surrogate. This could be because a driver?s yielding to a pedestrian, as observed in field studies, might not be the same behavior as a driver attempting to stop during a vehicle/pedestrian conflict. The observational study shows that the number of lanes to cross at a crossing is positively correlated with the rate at which pedestrians activate the system, but it is not correlated with the delay. Additionally, the study showed that the effect of PAC systems is most pronounced at sites with a higher number of movements conflicting with the crossing or poor visibility from upstream without signs warning drivers of an upcoming crosswalk.Item Criteria and Guidelines for Three-Lane Road Design and Operation(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2023-02) Davis, Gary A.; Hourdos, John; Gao, JingruA 4-3 conversion involves changing a four-lane undivided road into one with two general travel lanes separated by a two-way left turn lane. A commonly-used guideline states that a 4-3 conversion can be considering as long as the road’s average annual daily traffic (AADT) volume does not exceed 15,000 vehicles/day but opinions vary, from lowering the AADT threshold to 10,000 vehicles/day to anecdotal evidence for successful 4-3 conversions with AADTs as high as 20,000. The main objective of this project was to identify conditions where 4-3 conversions might be feasible at AADTs greater than 15,000. After reviewing the literature, we conducted simulation studies on three different roads to identify combinations of major and minor road flow where three-lane configurations provided acceptable levels of service. Eight intersections, with 16 approaches, were then selected to represent our findings. These results were presented as summary tables that practitioners could use to make initial assessments regarding 4-3 conversion feasibility.Item Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossing Evaluation Incorporating Highway Capacity Manual Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossing Analysis Methodology(Minnesota Department of Transportation Research Services & Library, 2014-06) Nemeth, Bryan; Tillman, Ross; Melquist, Jeremy; Hudson, AshleyThis report provides a procedure for the evaluation of uncontrolled pedestrian crossing locations that takes into account accepted practice, safety and delay. Safety considerations have been paramount to the analysis of crossings but delay is often not considered. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) provides a methodology for determining delay that can be included in the analysis of a crossing location. The analysis procedure takes into account previous research procedures and adds in delay considerations to develop a methodology appropriate for use by jurisdictional agencies in the evaluation of what is needed for treatments at uncontrolled pedestrian crossings. The evaluation procedure developed runs through a multi-step process from field data review through the consideration of appropriate treatment options. The evaluation procedure takes into account field data collection; safety/crash history; stopping sight distance; HCM Level of Service (LOS); pedestrian sight distance; origins and destinations/alternate routes; access spacing and functional classification; roadway speed and pedestrian use; FHWA guidance for placement based on safety considerations; school crossings; and appropriate treatment options. Treatment options include four different classes: Signing and Marking Treatments; Traffic Calming Treatments; Uncontrolled Crossing Treatments; and High Level Treatments.Item Understanding Post-COVID Safety Concerns Toward the Use of Transit and Shared Mobility in Greater Minnesota(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2023-04) Ryan, Galen; Fan, Yingling; Qian, Xinyi; Linscheid, NeilThis study investigates the perceived safety risks and barriers that might prevent transit and shared mobility services from attracting post-COVID riders in Greater Minnesota. It includes an online survey of Greater Minnesota residents to understand their COVID-related safety concerns and their preferences and perceptions toward existing and potential safety protocols. The survey results show that, during the post-COVID era, driving alone continues to dominate, but desires to use transit and shared mobility modes remain strong. Lack of access, lack of interest, and lack of available better alternatives jointly affect transit-use behavior. Women, people with COVID concerns, urban residents, online shoppers, and transit users are associated with stronger preferences toward COVID safety measures. People with COVID concerns, online shoppers, and transit users are also associated with preferences toward general transit service improvements. We also find that elderly people, hesitant tech users, and transit-dependent users are unlikely to be positively affected by trip-planning tools and contactless payment technology. Furthermore, income and car ownership predict future transit use, and younger age is associated with more interest in carpooling. These results help to inform transit and shared mobility providers about what safety and communications strategies will be most effective in bringing users back.