Effects on Driver’s Behavior of Illegal Pedestrian Crossings

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the driver behavior during the interaction with a pedestrian crossing into and outside the zebra crossing. 42 participants experienced different conditions of driver-pedestrian interactions (no pedestrian, legal and illegal crossings). The drivers’ behavior variables were collected from the drivers’ speed profiles, which were plotted in the last 150 m in advance of the collision point. Based on the vehicle dynamics, more critical driver’s speed behaviors were revealed for illegal pedestrian crossings, for which the driver adopted abrupt yielding maneuver compared to the legal crossing condition. Moreover, higher accident rates were recorded when drivers interacted with jaywalkers. The results confirm that adequate pedestrian paths should be planned in order to avoid jaywalker conditions and pedestrian detection systems could significantly help the driver in the condition of illegal pedestrian crossing behavior.