Effects of the Distance Between Speed Humps and Pedestrian Crossings on Gap Acceptance Behavior of Pedestrians (In the case of Tor hailoch to Bethel Road)
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Date
2022-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Vehicles increase in numbers on a daily basis. In spite of the fact that they offer an improved
convenience, they also have brought about negative effects. For instance, losses of lives and
properties are considered as one of the major consequences. In relation to this, pedestrian crossings
are critical places for road accidents involving pedestrians and motor vehicles.
Due to the relation between speed and severe injury the driver's speed has a crucial impact on
pedestrian safety. To this end, controlling the speed of vehicles on various roads and streets is
crucial in order to maintain the safety of people and to prevent any possibility of injury or death.
Nowadays, in the city of Addis Ababa, speed humps are becoming a common physical measure
installed near pedestrian crossings to reduce vehicle speeds to improve the safety and mobility of
pedestrians at the crossing.
Taking in to account the practiced possible measures in reduction of the speed of vehicle, their
familiarization with pedestrians' safety and comfort shall also be assessed properly. This thesis
contains the detailed assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of speed humps near crossings,
along Tor Hailoch to Bethel road segment, in the reduction of the vehicle speed and its contribution
on the mobility and comfort of pedestrians while crossing the road by categorizing the distance
between speed humps and pedestrian crossings into shorter (less than 6m) and longer (more than
6m). In addition, by extracting the data from the total observation, the study also evaluates the
mobility and comfort of children and the elderly pedestrians. Interview has also conducted with
pedestrians that using both the shorter and the longer distances as found necessary.
From the total observation, it is noted that drivers give more way to pedestrians at crossings on the
longer distances. In addition, it is noted that the gap acceptance behavior of pedestrians is impacted
on the shorter distance sites as more pedestrians are stopped before crossing and change their pace
and/or run while crossing. Moreover, it is observed that pedestrians cross comfortably at straight
on the longer distances rather than the short distances. The results gained by extracting the children
and elders from the total observed data also shows the same effect as the total observations.
Notwithstanding with the results found on the road users' behavior, the shorter distance exercises
less vehicle speed on pedestrian crossing comparing to the longer distances. In connection, most of
the interviewed pedestrians emphasized that they will not be sure whether the driver give them way
or not on the shorter distances.
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Keywords
Speed Humps, Pedestrian Crossings, Behavior of Pedestrians