In an effort to reduce the number of pedestrians hit by cars, a new research project conducted by the state Department of Transportation and the University of Connecticut is studying the type of crossing signals at some intersections.
Eight municipalities across Connecticut received upgraded crossing signal lights as part of the research project run by DOT and UConn’s Connecticut Transportation Institute, which looks at traffic patterns and ways to improve safety on the state’s roads.
Two of the upgraded crosswalk signals are in Groton, with one each in Bridgeport, Clinton, Danbury, Darien, Middletown, Shelton and Windham, according to Marisa Auguste, one of the project’s researchers.
“The Traffic Engineering Division of the Connecticut Department of Transportation recently completed installations of concurrent pedestrian crosswalk signals at several intersections around the state to improve safety,” Auguste said.
In the study, side street crossing signals were switched to concurrent signals, which allow pedestrians to cross the main road while drivers traveling in the same direction have a green light, she said. Side street greens mean pedestrians can cross a major road while cars on that street have a red light, but cars on a smaller side street have a green light, she said.
“Concurrent pedestrian signals clarify when pedestrians should cross while also reducing delays for both pedestrians and drivers,” Auguste said.
“Pedestrians will use a push button to initiate the ‘WALK’ signal to appear, indicating that it’s safe to cross,” she said. “A flashing countdown meter lets pedestrians know how much time they have left to cross the road. Drivers turning left or right must yield to pedestrians crossing the road.”
The study focuses on side streets with pedestrian crossing signals that look like miniature stop lights, with a green light to signal it is safe for pedestrians to cross, DOT spokesperson Josh Morgan said.
Pedestrian study
Concurrent pedestrian signals have been installed at the following intersections:
• Route 1 (Long Hill Road) at Maxson Road in Groton
• Route 184 (Gold Star Highway) at Kings Highway in Groton
• Route 217 (East Street) at West Lake Drive/East Lake Drive in Middletown
• US Highway 1 (East Main Street) at Meadow Road/Mallard Lane in Clinton
• Route 66 (Boston Post Road) at Mayo Street/Adelbert Street in Windham
• Route 202/6 (Mill Plain Road) at Kenosia Avenue in Danbury
• Route 1 at Clinton Avenue and Brook Lawn Avenue in Bridgeport
• Route 1 at Center Street and Squab Lane in Darien
Concurrent signals are clearer, by flashing “WALK” or “DON’T WALK” and including a countdown message for pedestrians, Morgan said.—
The study, which was funded with a $200,000 Federal Highway Administration grant, began with the first few crossing lights installed in May and June, he said. The final three crossing signals, located in Bridgeport, Darien and Shelton, were installed and put online within the last week, Morgan said.
The project’s goal is to determine whether concurrent signals are safer than exclusive signaling, said John Ivan, the project’s leader and a UConn engineering professor. Exclusive signaling halts traffic from all directions to allow pedestrians to cross.
“Pedestrians don’t wait for ‘WALK’ signals at exclusives, then the car shows up by time they’re across the street. The turning vehicle arrives, doesn’t expect pedestrians in the crosswalk,” Ivan said. “Bottom line is, exclusive is safer when pedestrians wait — but they don’t wait. The drivers especially get frustrated when a pedestrian pushes the button. but doesn’t wait, and then…
Read More: DOT, UConn study looks to make it safer for pedestrians to cross at intersections in CT