Existing Techniques for Detecting Vulnerable Road Users. VRU-TOO Deliverable 4.

One of the main aims of this project is to show that it is possible to use the information obtained my detecting pedestrian movements prior to them crossing the road in order to make the signal control system more responsive to their needs. In DRIVE I, field trials were carried out which proved that there were in existence a variety of detection devices that were suitable to be used in this situation. Within later stages of this projects field trials will be carried out in three different countries using pedestrian detection devices, but before the trials can be properly designed it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive survey of what systems are already in production, albeit not for the express purpose of detecting pedestrians in such a situation. This report therefore presents the results from such a survey of existing methods and the commercially available products that could be used in the pilot trials

Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Greek Implementation. VRU-TOO Deliverable 14

The work of VRU-TOO is targeted specifically at the application of ATT for reducing risk and improving comfort (e.g. minimisation of delay) for Vulnerable Road Users, namely pedestrians. To achieve this, the project operates at three levels. At the European level practical pilot implementations in three countries (U.K., Portugal and Greece) are linked with behavioural studies of the micro-level interaction of pedestrians and vehicles and the development of computer simulation models. At the National level, the appropriate Highway Authorities are consulted, according to their functions, for the pilot implementations and informed of the results. Finally, at the local level, the pilot project work is fitted into specfic local (municipality) policy contexts in all three pilot project sites. The present report focuses on the Elefsina pilot application in Greece and the relevant National and Local policy contexts are the following. At the National level, the ultimate responsibility for road safety and signal installations rests with the Ministry of Environment and Public Works. The Ministry is responsible for the adoption of standards and solutions for problems and also for a large number of actual installations, since local authorities lack the size and expertise to undertake such work on their own One of the project's aims is to provide information to the Ministry as to the suitability of the methods developed for aiding pedestrian movement, ultimately leading to a specification for its wider use. The Ministry is expecting to use the final results of the present study for possible modifications of its present standards for pedestrian controlled traffic signals. At the local level (Elefsina) the municipality has, in the past, pursued environmental improvements through pedestrianisation schemes in the city centre. At the same time it has developed a special traffic management policy, to solve a particularly serious problem of through traffic. A summary of the policy is contained in Appendix A and more details in a previous deliverable (Tillis, 1992). In the particular case of Elefsina pedestrian induced delay to through vehicular traffic, may form a key element in this policy ensuring at the same time, an incentive to divert to the existing bypass and enhancing pedestrian movement. The effectiveness of pedestrian detection techniques tested in the pilot, will provide valuable information on the future implementation of the policy. Thus, the Elefsina Pilot Project operates at the same time on three levels: It provides a basis, in combination with the other two pilot project sites, for comparing the effects of pedestrian detection on pedestrian safety and comfort at a European level. It provides information to the National authorities (Ministry of Environment and Public Works) for their standards setting, scheme design and implementation tasks. It fits into a comprehensive plan at the local level for effecting environmental improvements and enhancing pedestrian amenity and comfort at the same time. In addition, an investigation into the capabilities of pedestrian detectors to function as data collection devices, was performed. The data 'quality gap' betweenvehicular and pedestrian tr&c may be closed with the utilisation of microwave pedestrian detectors, providing a more solid foundation for the planning for total person movement through networks (vehicle occupants, public transport passengers, pedestrians). This the second deliverable issued for Elefsina and comprises of the main section which contains a description of the work undertaken, the results and a number of appendices serving as background material in support of the statements in the main text

Effectiveness of the English Implementation. VRU-TOO Deliverable 16.

The overall objective of the VRU-TOO project is to examine how the safety and mobility of pedestrians can be enhanced at signalised locations in urban areas. In order to accomplish this the project has adopted a three pronged approach. a) Computer Modelling: The development of a meso-model (WJLCAN 2) which will predict the changes in route choice (and subsequently safety levels) to be achieved by changes in the pedestrian facilities available. b) Behavioural Studies: The formulation of standardised rules which will provide a greater understanding of the factors that affect the safety of pedestrians when crossing the road by creating detailed rules for the norma; (safe) and abnormal (unsafe)interaction of pedestrians and vehicles. c) Pilot Project: The implementation of pre-arrival pedestrian detection systems to improve the safety and reduce the delay of pedestrians who wish to cross main roads controlled by signals in urban areas in three European countries. This report gives full details of the trial that was carried out in Leeds(UK), it gives details of the equipment used as well as the philosophy behind the trial. It also details how the pedestrian detection system was utilised within the existing Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system and it also provides a full assessment of the results of a detailed "before" and "after" study to evaluate the results of the trial and determine whether the objectives, which were formulated before the trial, had been achieved. Following this, the report also assesses the results and their implications for the more comprehensive usage of the methodologies introduced by this trial, both within Leeds and on a larger scale for the implementation within any city'based UTC system

Effectiveness of the English Implementation. VRU-TOO Deliverable 16.

The overall objective of the VRU-TOO project is to examine how the safety and mobility of pedestrians can be enhanced at signalised locations in urban areas. In order to accomplish this the project has adopted a three pronged approach. a) Computer Modelling: The development of a meso-model (WJLCAN 2) which will predict the changes in route choice (and subsequently safety levels) to be achieved by changes in the pedestrian facilities available. b) Behavioural Studies: The formulation of standardised rules which will provide a greater understanding of the factors that affect the safety of pedestrians when crossing the road by creating detailed rules for the norma; (safe) and abnormal (unsafe)interaction of pedestrians and vehicles. c) Pilot Project: The implementation of pre-arrival pedestrian detection systems to improve the safety and reduce the delay of pedestrians who wish to cross main roads controlled by signals in urban areas in three European countries. This report gives full details of the trial that was carried out in Leeds(UK), it gives details of the equipment used as well as the philosophy behind the trial. It also details how the pedestrian detection system was utilised within the existing Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system and it also provides a full assessment of the results of a detailed "before" and "after" study to evaluate the results of the trial and determine whether the objectives, which were formulated before the trial, had been achieved. Following this, the report also assesses the results and their implications for the more comprehensive usage of the methodologies introduced by this trial, both within Leeds and on a larger scale for the implementation within any city'based UTC system

Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Portuguese Implementation. VRU-TOO Deliverable 12.

The work of VRU-TOO is targeted specifically at the application of AlT for the reduction of risk and the improvement of comfort for vulnerable road users, namely pedestrians. To achieve this, the project has combined pilot implementations in three countries (UK, Greece and portugal) with behavioural studies and the development of computer simulation techniques. At the same time the pilot implementations have been co-ordinated with local and national policy priorities. This deliverable presents the results from a trial that was carried out on a major arterial road just outside the central area of Porto, Portugal The objective of the trial was to show that it was possible to improve the safety and mobility of pedestrians at a junction and crossing facility which was situated adjacent to a large school by intelligent manipulation of the signal settings. Pedestrian detectors were attached to the traffic signals in order to detect pedestrians as they approached the crossing point. As a result of this detection, in certain circumstances, the signal cycle would be advanced so as to reduce the time until the signals would change to present the pedestrian with an opportunity to cross the road. The detectors would also allow the green time for pedestrians to be extended if there was sufficient demand, allowing safer and more comfortable crossing periods. Finally the pedestrian green time could also be reduced in order to avoid wasted time, if there was no pedestrian demand, thus allowing a more optimised functioning of the junction. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment an extensive "before and after" analysis was carried out to determine the changes in safety and mobility, especially for child pedestrians. The evaluation of the trial was carried out by using the data collected to assess whether the pre- specified objectives have been achieved. The implications of the results are then discussed as well as their implication to the more general installation of such measures in the Portuguese contex