Harmonizing Pedestrians Mobility at Level Crossing (The Case of Sebategna Level Crossing in Addis Ababa)
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Date
2019-07
Authors
Christine, Nyakona
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Abstract
The highway-rail grade crossing is unique in that it constitutes the intersection of two
transportation modes, which differ in both the physical characteristics of their traveled ways and
their operations. Level crossings involve a considerable number of pedestrians and their
harmony with the road and rail traffic, along with railway and road geometry setup is paramount
to enhance the economic, social and environmental aspects of public transportation. The level
crossing being a shared space, pedestrians experience time and space constrained mobility and
their safety at the level crossing is at risk. This research harmonizes the mobility of pedestrians at
level crossings. The case of Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AALRT) is chosen, with a specific
focus on Sebategna level crossing. The current level crossing at Sebategna is a multi-modal
shared space that is managed by the train signal, a bell that rings for an approaching train, level
crossing signalmen and traffic officers. This setting results in space and time constrained
mobility of pedestrians, congestion, and crashes. Constraints to pedestrian mobility and causes of
safety-related issues experienced by pedestrians at the level crossing were examined. Using PTV
Vissim multi-modal simulation software, this research developed and evaluated two test
scenarios that could improve pedestrian mobility and improve their safety at Sebategna level
crossing. The results of the study indicate that the constraints to pedestrians’ mobility at
Sebategna level crossing include; no coordinated signal control at the level crossing, crosswalks
opposite the station platforms entrance are not fully observed by vehicular traffic, some
sidewalks being blocked by market vendors and congestion on the level crossing during peak
hours which causes significant delays. The causes of safety-related incidents experienced by
pedestrians’ cuts across pedestrians’ behavior, driver behavior, pedestrian infrastructure in place
and its’ utilization. From the results of the simulated test scenarios, improving and adjusting the
infrastructure geometry (shared level crossing, lane configuration, conflict areas) in place can
improve pedestrian safety and mobility. There are improved queue length and delay times in test
scenario 1, compared to test scenario 2, in which signal control was incorporated. However, from
a safety perspective, the later would be suitable because of signal control. The queue length and
vehicular delay results of the existing scenario is reduced from 66.66 m and 50.52 s to 25.63 m
and 14.47 s respectively. The number of conflict areas reduced from 120 in the existing scenario
to 110 and 51 in test scenario 1 and 2.
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Keywords
Pedestrians, Level crossing, Modeling, Simulation, Mobility