Intelligent Transport Systems and Travel Behaviour

Abstract

Countdown Timers (timers) are auxiliary devices to the traffic signalization, which measure the time to change the displayed signal. Currently, the use of countdown timers in Poland is not regulated by law. Such devices, however, in some Polish cities are functioning and are installed on a growing number of intersections. In order to analyse the devices described the research was conducted on the impact of counter dispensing time on road safety. The study were subjected the countdown timers used for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. At the time of measurements were compared behaviour of pedestrians and drivers in two periods of research: for a week with enabled and disabled countdown timers. The influence of the countdown timers into intersection capacity was calculated in the other part of the work [1], vehicle speed-issue wasn’t tested. The results allow concluding that the countdown timers for both pedestrians and vehicles improve safety in the initial phase of the signal. Future work on other research proving grounds allow for more accurate determining the impact of the countdown timers on safety.