Published: 2004 | Category: Integrated land use and transport systems , Research programme , Research & reports | Audience: General
The aim of this study, carried out in 2003, is to provide information to improve the design of pedestrian-vehicle spaces used on New Zealand roads, so that pedestrian-vehicle conflicts are reduced. It examines the cues to priority given to both drivers and pedestrians using nine design features that are commonly used in pedestrian-vehicle spaces.
Seventy-five participants were split into two groups to form a driver perspective group and a pedestrian perspective group. The groups received a series of randomly ordered photographs, taken from driver and pedestrian perspectives, where the nine features were graphically removed or added.
Results provide some evidence that tactile features send conflicting visual messages to pedestrians and drivers, whereas pedestrian lines send clear visual signals.
Feature in isolation enhance pedestrians' sense of priority but do not impact on drivers' perceptions.
Multiple features should be used when designing shared pedestrian-vehicle spaces so that a clear change in the environment is signalled from both perspectives.
Keywords: conflict, design, pedestrians, roads, safety, shared spaces, streets, traffic, traffic calming, traffic planning, vehicle, Woonerf
