REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) #15-05 Establishing Procedures and Guidelines for Pedestrian Treatments at Uncontrolled Locations POSTED DATE: 4/20/15; CLOSING DATE: 5/31/15 BACKGROUND Vulnerable user- and pedestrian-related crashes are identified as an Emphasis Area in the Illinois Strategic Highway Safety Plan and warrants further to reduce fatalities and serious injuries. The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT’s) Bureau of Safety Engineering (BSE) performed a statewide analysis of pedestrian crashes between 2007 and 2011 to identify corridors throughout the state with a higher number of pedestrian fatal and A-Injury crashes, with an ultimate goal of improving pedestrian safety at these corridors. While there have been numerous studies about mitigation of pedestrian crashes, suggested solutions vary. It is in the best interest of the state to develop guidelines based on the available research specific for cases observed in Illinois. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this research are to review and analyze locations with a high number of incidents related to pedestrian injuries at uncontrolled crossings and to develop guidelines for deployment of countermeasures including but not limited to crosswalks and other treatments such as fencing, median refuges, flashing beacons, activated warning lights, pedestrian-hybrid beacons, and traffic signals. The 2009 National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) states that crosswalks should not be used indiscriminately and that an engineering study should be performed before a marked crosswalk is installed at an uncontrolled location. The MUTCD lists several factors that should be considered in the engineering study, but it does not give any recommendations on how to apply those factors. While marked crosswalks at uncontrolled locations are not always the best pedestrian treatment because they are not expected by drivers, there may be certain situations where a marked crosswalk is appropriate based on certain field conditions, number of pedestrians, or other factors. This research would develop criteria to be used by IDOT and local agencies to determine where the deployment of countermeasures such as marked crosswalks and other pedestrian treatments may be appropriate to decrease incidents of pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) #15-05 Establishing Procedures and Guidelines for Pedestrian Treatments at Uncontrolled Locations POSTED DATE: 4/20/15; CLOSING DATE: 5/31/15 BACKGROUND Vulnerable user- and pedestrian-related crashes are identified as an Emphasis Area in the Illinois Strategic Highway Safety Plan and warrants further to reduce fatalities and serious injuries. The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT’s) Bureau of Safety Engineering (BSE) performed a statewide analysis of pedestrian crashes between 2007 and 2011 to identify corridors throughout the state with a higher number of pedestrian fatal and A-Injury crashes, with an ultimate goal of improving pedestrian safety at these corridors. While there have been numerous studies about mitigation of pedestrian crashes, suggested solutions vary. It is in the best interest of the state to develop guidelines based on the available research specific for cases observed in Illinois. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this research are to review and analyze locations with a high number of incidents related to pedestrian injuries at uncontrolled crossings and to develop guidelines for deployment of countermeasures including but not limited to crosswalks and other treatments such as fencing, median refuges, flashing beacons, activated warning lights, pedestrian-hybrid beacons, and traffic signals. The 2009 National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) states that crosswalks should not be used indiscriminately and that an engineering study should be performed before a marked crosswalk is installed at an uncontrolled location. The MUTCD lists several factors that should be considered in the engineering study, but it does not give any recommendations on how to apply those factors. While marked crosswalks at uncontrolled locations are not always the best pedestrian treatment because they are not expected by drivers, there may be certain situations where a marked crosswalk is appropriate based on certain field conditions, number of pedestrians, or other factors. This research would develop criteria to be used by IDOT and local agencies to determine where the deployment of countermeasures such as marked crosswalks and other pedestrian treatments may be appropriate to decrease incidents of pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
RFP-15-05-Establishing-Procedures-and-Guidelines-for-Pedestrian-Treatments-at-Uncontrolled-Locations.docx