Introduction
This survey has demonstrated that RCAs policies on floodlighting pedestrian crossings varied widely suggesting that the full safety benefits of floodlighting pedestrian crossings may not be realised.
Most authorities recognised the legal requirement in the Traffic regulations 1976 to keep crossings that are used at night illuminated. Five RCAs had a policy to floodlight all of their pedestrian crossings while some RCAs did not floodlight pedestrian crossings at all.
Field surveys showed that only 39% of floodlit pedestrian crossings met the NZ Standard which is itself low by international standards. The TR11 guide recommends twice this level (40 lux) and this was achieved at 18% of crossings.
The generally poor performance of floodlighting at pedestrian crossings can be attributed to:
At 16% of pedestrian crossings at least one of the Belisha beacons installed was not operating. Better maintenance regimes and the use of longer life Belisha beacon lamps could reduce this figure significantly.
That RCAs develop a formal policy on floodlighting pedestrian crossings by;That RCAs using Mercury or Halogen floodlights note the low compliance and high failure rate found with these floodlights and accordingly:
identifying those pedestrian crossings that are used at night and rank them according to night-time use/risk
making an inventory of the night-time lux levels on all of these crossings following a method similar to that outlined in this report
developing a prioritised programme to upgrade these crossings to ensure the NZS6701 level (20 lux) is maintained and preferably achieve the recommended TR11 level (40 lux).
Consider upgrading to a higher output and energy efficient source such as high pressure sodium.
That RCAs note the high failure rate in Belisha beacons and where appropriate take steps to improve the maintenance regime or install lamps with a longer design life.
That RCAs place floodlights on the approach side of the pedestrian crossings to better illuminate pedestrians using the crossing.
That an updated guide to Pedestrian crossings be produced which should include recommendations on fluoro discs, and floodlighting.