Intersections are formed wherever roadways meet. In New Zealand, people crossing streets are required to give way to vehicles unless they are using a zebra crossing, school crossing or crossing on a green pedestrian signal or it is a shared zone.
Intersections tend to be an unintentional focus for conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians as their paths cross. Pedestrians may avoid difficult crossings or face high risks while crossing at a poorly designed intersection. Crash statistics involving pedestrians at intersections demonstrate this fact.
PNG: A Safe System for walking
Vehicle speeds are a major factor in the severity of injury and likelihood of death in crashes involving pedestrians. Therefore, vehicle speeds are a critical factor in whether an intersection provides a safe system for pedestrians. An upper limit of 30km/h impact speeds meets the safe system philosophy for pedestrians and people cycling.
Safety is the key factor among other factors in the selection of an intersection treatment and control type. The safety and needs of pedestrians should be a key consideration for intersections in urban areas. The type of intersection, the functional classification of the intersecting streets, the street context and how the intersection is designed and operated all influence the safety and accessibility for pedestrians. For example, intersecting Local Streets (One Network Framework classification) are typically a mixture of uncontrolled and priority controlled intersections, whereas major intersections on an Urban Connector will primarily be signalised intersections.
Key traffic management considerations when selecting an appropriate intersection type are provided in Austroads Guide to Traffic Management Part 6[1]. General forms of intersection and different types of control are also described in the TCD Manual Part 4.
Traffic control devices manual part 4 (draft for consultation)
The types of intersections and particular considerations for pedestrians are discussed in the table below.
Table: Considerations for pedestrians at different intersection types
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Intersection type |
Key considerations for pedestrians |
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Most common intersection types in urban areas and common location for crashes involving pedestrians. Requires supporting treatments for anything other than low pedestrian crossing demands and low vehicle volumes. |
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Generally safer for pedestrians than other forms of intersection control however can result in pedestrian delays. Long delays for pedestrians can result in non-compliance. Signalised intersections in urban areas should have crosswalks on each leg. |
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Are usually very safe for motor vehicles but can be unsafe and intimidating for pedestrians particularly large multi-lane roundabouts. Roundabouts generally require supporting treatments to assist pedestrians to cross. |
Providing an appropriate crossing facility at an intersection requires a number of considerations that are described under each intersection type.
