Courtesy crossings

Description

Courtesy crossings are usually made of bricks or paving or raised above the level of the road. Courtesy crossings are intended to facilitate eye contact between pedestrians and drivers resulting in a mutually negotiated position over who goes first. However, this can create uncertainty between road users as to who has the right of way, which can be very uncomfortable (or unacceptable) for some pedestrians.

I don't really like to eyeball a driver so I prefer zebra crossings and traffic signals. Usually I can work out my own way to go that has the crossings I like but sometimes it means a much longer walk which is hard if I'm trying to get somewhere in a hurry. Josh

Courtesy crossings should provide a place where drivers can stop safely to allow pedestrians to cross. Drivers are not required to stop at courtesy crossings, however the official New Zealand road code recommends that drivers are courteous to pedestrians using or waiting to use a courtesy crossing.

The official New Zealand road code

An example of a courtesy crossing is shown in the photo below.

Courtesy crossing, Dunedin. (Photo:Ann-Marie Head)

Courtesy crossings and pedestrian platforms – what’s the difference?

Courtesy crossing	Pedestrian platform
Courtesy crossings are intended to facilitate eye contact between pedestrians and drivers resulting in a mutually negotiated position over who goes first.	On their own pedestrian platforms provide a focus for pedestrians to cross, however pedestrians must still give way to vehicles.
Traffic volume less than 7500vpd (could be higher if a median refuge is provided and an alternative crossing provided nearby)	Traffic volumes less than 3000vpd
Vehicle operating speeds very low, at most 30km/h, ideally 20km/h or less. The lower the speed the more effective the crossing as vehicles are going to slower so are more likely to be courteous to pedestrians wishing to cross.	Vehicle operating speeds less than 50km/h (the platform should be designed to slow vehicle speeds to 30km/h)
Likely to be found on Activity Streets, Main Streets and Civic Spaces where pedestrian volumes are high	Likely to be found on Local Streets and Activity Streets where the pedestrian volumes are low
Ideally on a platform with steep approach ramps to reduce vehicle speeds	On a platform with approach ramps to reduce vehicle speeds
Crossing colour/texture should contrast with the road and footpath to indicate both users are guests over the crossing	Crossing colour/texture should contrast with the footpath to indicate that pedestrians do not have priority and ideally be the same material as the road.

When to use

As courtesy crossings are not obvious to both pedestrians and drivers, their use is generally discouraged except where the pedestrian volumes are very high and vehicle speeds are very low. Courtesy crossings may be appropriate in locations where there are alternative priority crossing/s located nearby as this provides route choice.

PNG: Principles of Safe, Obvious and Step-free (SOS)

Check whether a courtesy crossing is a suitable treatment for your site by referring to:

PNG: Crossing selection guidance

Benefits

• Intended to facilitate eye contact between pedestrians and drivers resulting in a mutually negotiated position of who goes first.
• Can improve pedestrian safety and level of service while causing minimal delay to other traffic.
• Can result in courteous behaviour where drivers give way to pedestrians.
• Can eliminate grade changes from the pedestrian route and therefore the need for kerb ramps.

Implications

• Are not obvious who has right of way so can create uncertainty and can be unsuitable for some pedestrians.
• Can result in unsafe use if pedestrians assume they have right of way.
• Can create discomfort for vehicle occupants travelling over platforms if not well designed (particularly buses).
• May increase noise as vehicles brake, slow, pass over them and then accelerate (particularly heavy vehicles).

Recommended parameters

• Likely to be a Primary Safe System treatment as operating speeds are below 30km/h[1].
• Not obvious who has right of way so their use is discouraged except where pedestrian volumes are very high and vehicle speeds are low and where alternative priority crossings are located nearby as this provides route choice.
• Operating speed 30km/h or less.
• May be suitable on Activity Streets, Main Streets and Civic Spaces where pedestrian volumes are significant (high).
• Traffic volume less than 7500vpd.
• Only appropriate for crossing distances 7m or less (can combine with kerb extensions to achieve) as only used in slow speeds where cyclists share with traffic.
• Should be on a raised platform unless in very slow speed environments.
• Can be combined with kerb extensions.
• Crossing should be a colour that contrasts with both the adjacent road and footpaths.

Courtesy crossings can be combined with other infrastructure such as kerb extensions and pedestrian refuges.

PNG: Kerb extensions

PNG: Pedestrian refuges

Legal considerations

Courtesy crossings are not specifically mentioned in the TCD Rule. However, the following rules about traffic control devices apply.

An RCA may provide signs, markings, surface texture or raised platforms or kerb extensions and traffic islands or other techniques to guide a pedestrian to a place at which to cross a roadway (TCD Rule, 8.8(4)).

If an RCA installs a device as above that does not require a driver to stop their vehicle to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the road controlling authority must ensure that the device conveys a clear and consistent message to road users (TCD Rule, 8.8(5)).

Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004

Design considerations

Courtesy crossings should feature the following elements:

• Either a raised platform or a low-speed environment (operating speeds <= 30km/h but ideally even lower).
• A coloured surface, using a colour that contrasts with both the adjacent road and footpaths.

Design elements

Design details for courtesy crossings should be consistent with each element including provision of tactile indicators and handrails. More information about these design elements can be found in the following crossings:

PNG: Kerb extensions

PNG: Pedestrian refuges

PNG: Pedestrian platforms

Table: Design elements for courtesy crossings