A new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) underscores the vital role that illuminated crosswalks play in reducing pedestrian accidents, particularly in low-light environments. Conducted in partnership with Western Michigan University, the research demonstrates that drivers are more than three times as likely to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks equipped with lighting, compared to those without it. The impact is even more substantial at crosswalks with flashing yellow warning beacons, where drivers are 13 times more likely to yield.
The Need for Improved Pedestrian Safety
David Harkey, President of IIHS, points out that simple changes to crosswalk infrastructure can have dramatic effects on pedestrian safety. “When drivers are yielding, pedestrians aren’t dying,” Harkey said. His comments emphasize the urgent need for better safety measures. According to 2022 data, 75 percent of the 7,522 pedestrian deaths in motor vehicle crashes occurred in the dark, suggesting that enhanced lighting could be a key intervention to reduce fatalities.
The Study: Exploring Crosswalk Lighting and Beacons
To identify the most effective safety measures, researchers evaluated different crosswalk lighting systems at four locations in Kalamazoo, Michigan, which were devoid of stop signs or traffic signals. The locations included two T intersections, a four-way intersection, and a midblock crosswalk. At one T intersection, a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) was installed. The RRFB, an LED system that flashes when activated by a pedestrian, was studied alone and in combination with other lighting systems.
In all four locations, researchers tested crosswalk illuminators—LED floodlights designed to shine horizontally across the street—both when set to provide continuous illumination and when triggered by pedestrian movement. These crosswalk illuminators were tested in contrast to overhead streetlights. The goal was to determine how these varying lighting systems impacted driver behavior and pedestrian safety.
Key Findings: Increased Driver Yielding in Low-Light Conditions
The results revealed that any type of additional lighting or flashing beacon improved driver yielding at poorly lit intersections. At dark locations, continuous crosswalk lighting or triggered illuminators led to a threefold increase in driver yielding compared to no lighting at all. The study also found that drivers were three times more likely to reduce their speed by 10 mph or more when additional lighting was present.
However, the study noted a different outcome at a brightly lit midblock location. Here, the addition of crosswalk lighting did not make a statistically significant difference in the likelihood of drivers yielding to pedestrians. This suggests that in already well-lit areas, additional crosswalk lighting may not substantially impact driver behavior.
Combining RRFBs with Lighting: The Most Effective Solution
The most dramatic improvements were observed at a dimly lit T intersection that featured both RRFBs and triggered crosswalk lighting. When both systems were activated, drivers were more than 13 times as likely to yield to pedestrians compared to when no lighting or beacons were present. Moreover, when both RRFBs and crosswalk lighting were used together, drivers were more than twice as likely to yield than when either system was used alone.
This combination of systems appears to address two critical needs: attracting drivers’ attention and ensuring they can see pedestrians. Previous research has shown that while RRFBs can grab a driver’s attention, they don’t necessarily help drivers see pedestrians. The addition of crosswalk lighting seems to fulfill this visual need, making pedestrians more visible and encouraging safer driver behavior.
Implications for Road Safety
The study’s lead author, Wen Hu, senior research transportation engineer at IIHS, notes that the findings highlight practical and easily implemented solutions. Crosswalk lighting and flashing beacons can substantially increase pedestrian safety in poorly lit areas, making them an essential part of road safety strategies. Along with lower speed limits and road designs that discourage speeding, these simple interventions hold the potential to prevent a significant number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
A Call to Action for Safer Crosswalks
The IIHS study provides compelling evidence that enhanced crosswalk lighting, particularly when combined with flashing beacons, can significantly reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents in dark or dimly lit areas. The findings suggest that these straightforward solutions can play a critical role in saving lives. However, further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of these systems across a wider range of sites and road conditions.
David Harkey’s closing remark—”We can stop pedestrians from being killed if we make sure drivers see them”—is a stark reminder of the importance of visibility in pedestrian safety. Ensuring that city planners and road designers prioritize lighting improvements could be a key step toward reducing the alarming number of pedestrian fatalities that occur each year.
See Also — IIHS Updates Crash Prevention Testing: Only One Model Excels
Photos courtesy of IIHS.
