Commonwealth of Virginia
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14685 Avion Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151
(703) 383-VDOT (8368)
PHILIP A. SHUCET
COMMISSIONER
THOMAS F. FARLEY
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR
January 3, 2003
Ms. Shelley J. Row, P.E., Director
Office of Transportation Operations (HOTO-1)
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
400 7th Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Ms. Row:
Enclosed is the Virginia Department of Transportation Northern Virginia (VDOT NoVa) District's request to experiment with pedestrian countdown signals.
The pedestrian countdown signals will be installed to replace existing traditional pedestrian signals at four selected intersections in VDOT NoVa District for experimentation. This request follows the requirements outlined in the FHWA document "Request for Experimentation with Pedestrian Countdown Signals". A slightly scaled-down evaluation plan is proposed reflecting discussions with FHWA staff that the countdown pedestrian signal may be approved around mid-year 2003.
Thank you for considering our request. Please contact me at 703-383-2404 or Ms. Guan Xu at 703-383-2420 if you have any questions or need additional information.
Sincerely,
/s/
Loren W. Epton, Jr.
District Traffic Engineer
TRANSPORTATION FOR THE 21 ST CENTURY
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Virginia Department of Transportation
Northern Virginia District
Request to the Federal Highway Administration
for Experimentation with Pedestrian Countdown Signals
November 27, 2002
Introduction
Pedestrian related crashes have increased in recent years in the northern Virginia area, especially, in Fairfax County, Virginia. The Virginia Department of Transportation Northern Virginia (VDOT NoVa) District is committed to improve pedestrian safety in the area. The implementation of the countdown pedestrian signals on a trial basis at selected locations in Fairfax County is an important part of this commitment.
Problem Statement
A review of highway corridors with high pedestrian related crashes in the District indicates that certain types of pedestrian crashes may be mitigated by the implementation of countdown pedestrian signals. One type of crashes involved pedestrians who were hit by vehicles at intersections before they could complete their crossing. This was especially the case when pedestrians had to cross multi-lane major arterials with wide cross sections. Often pedestrians could not start their crossing at the beginning of a pedestrian walk phase due to the distraction of turning vehicles. When they had the chance to start their crossing there might not be enough time for them to cross the road completely. The countdown signal will provide pedestrians additional information concerning the decision whether to proceed with their cross or wait for next pedestrian walk phase.
Objective of The Experimentation
The objective of this experimentation is to investigate the effect of pedestrian countdown signals on pedestrian behavior in using protected crosswalks at signalized intersections on multi-lane roads.
Project Scope and Plan
Four intersections have been selected for the experimentation based on the review of pedestrian activities and crash history in the District. The four intersections are:
l. Richmond Highway (US Route 1) at Ladson Lane: replacing the two existing pedestrian signal displays for crossing Richmond Highway;
2. Richmond Highway (US Route 1) at Lockheed Blvd: replacing the four existing pedestrian signal displays for the two Richmond Highway crosswalks;
3. Richmond Highway (US Route 1) at Beacon Hill Road: replacing the two existing pedestrian signal displays for the crosswalk on Richmond Highway; and
4. Vaden Drive and Virginia Center Boulevard/Country Creek Road: replacing the six existing pedestrian signal displays for the crosswalks on Vaden Drive, Virginia Center Boulevard, and Country Creek Road.
The traffic signals at the three intersections along Richmond Highway are semi-actuated operating in a coordinated system. The traffic signal at the intersection of Vaden Drive and Virginia Center Boulevard/Country Creek Road is fully actuated operating as an isolated signal system.
The countdown pedestrian signals will be installed and activated within six months after VDOT receives written approval from FHWA. All four locations will have a twelve-month experimentation period and will be evaluated as described below.
Evaluation Plan
A Before-and-After study will be conducted to evaluate the effects of pedestrian countdown signals on pedestrian-related crash rates, the number of pedestrians crossing at the intersection within the protected crosswalk, the number of pedestrians initiating and/or delaying crossing during the pedestrian flashing Don't Walk "Countdown" clearance interval, and the overall effect on driver and pedestrian behavior at the intersections. The study will include before and after data collection, data analysis, and a final summary of the analysis.
Crash data for the period of twelve months before and twelve months after the installation of the countdown pedestrian signals will be collected and analyzed. Information related to crashes such as location, age and gender of driver and pedestrian, influence of alcohol, vehicle maneuver, and lighting conditions will be collected for the evaluation. Accident reports containing detailed information from police department will be used as a major crash data collection resource.
The number of pedestrians using the countdown signals and behavior information of pedestrians and drivers reacting to the pedestrian countdown signals will be collected by either video equipment or field observers. A reasonable amount of data will be collected for both the before and after period. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation will conduct the before and after data collection for the evaluation.
Additionally, after the countdown pedestrian signals are activated, random selected users at the site(s) will be surveyed on their reaction to and understanding of the countdown signals. This survey will include but not be limited to the questions outlined in the FHWA document entitled "Request for Experimentation with Pedestrian Countdown Signals". The survey will also be conducted by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.
Samples of an accident report, survey form, and motorist and pedestrian behavior observation form are attached to this request.
Final Report
As a part of evaluation, the VDOT NoVa District will provide a final report to the FHWA on the results of the experimentation within three months after the completion of the experimentation period. The report will include the following information:
1. Before and after geometric and traffic control conditions of each selected location;
2. The date when pedestrian countdown signals are installed and activated;
3. All original data collected for the evaluation of the experimentation, including collection methods and forms;
4. Before and after data analysis, including analysis method and results;
5. Conclusions and recommendations.
Site Restoration
If at any time it is determined that the pedestrian countdown signals pose a potential safety hazard to either pedestrians or motorists, they will be removed, and the site(s) will be restored to comply with standards of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Countdown Pedestrian Signal Specification
The proposed pedestrian countdown signals will only display the countdown during the flashing Don't Walk pedestrian clearance interval.
The information on the countdown pedestrian signal hardware is as follows:
l. Intersection of Virginia Center Blvd(Rt.6154)/Vaden Drive(Rt.6731)/Country Creek Rd
Equipment Type : LED Type Pedestrian Signal Heads w/Countdown Timer - 12"x 12"overlay outline of Hand/Man (P/N: PS6-CFL3-01 A) for top section; 12"x 12" countdown display, double stroke (P/N: PS6-PFD2-O1 A) for bottom section
uantit : (6) six pedestrian heads
Manufacturer : GELcore
2. Three intersections along Richmond Highway:
Equipment Type : LED Type Pedestrian Signal Heads w/Countdown Timer - 12"x 12"overlay outline of Hand/Man (Model - PLS 120) for top section; 12"x 12" countdown display, double stroke (Model - PCS 123) for bottom section
uantit : Total of eight pedestrian heads, two at the intersection of Ladson Lane and Richmond Highway, four at Richmond Highway/Lockheed Blvd, and two at Richmond /Beacon Hill Road.
Manufacturer : Tassimco Technologies Canada Inc.
Pictures and specifications of the countdown pedestrian signals are attached for your review and approval.
Administration
The countdown pedestrian signal experiment is requested by the Virginia Department of Transportation, Northern Virginia District. Ms. Guan Xu is the contact person for this project. If you have any questions concerning this request, please contact Ms. Guan Xu at 703-383-2420.
Attachments:
A. Sample of Accident Data Record
B. Sample of Motorist and Pedestrian Behavior Data Collection Form
C. Pedestrian Survey Questions for the Evaluation of Countdown Pedestrian Signal
D. Pictures and Specifications of Pedestrian Countdown Signals manufactured by
GELcore
E. Pictures and Specifications of Pedestrian Countdown Signals manufactured by
Tassimco Technologies Canada Inc.
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Attachment A
Sample of Accident Data Record
[Image shows Police Accident Report and a Richmond Highway Corridor pedestrian crash record. (See pdf version to view images.)]
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Attachment B
Sample of Motorist and Pedestrian Behavior Data Collection Form
[Image shows a blank example of each form. (See pdf version to view images.)]
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Attachment C
Pedestrian Survey Questions
Pedestrian Survey Questions for the Evaluation of Countdown Pedestrian Signal
1. What does the flashing DON'T WALK mean?
a. It is legal to enter the crosswalk as long as you can reach the other side prior to the steady DON'T WALK signal display.
b. It is illegal to enter the crosswalk.
2. Do you cross any differently with the countdown signal than traditional pedestrian signals?
a. YES (explain below)
b. NO (explain below)
3. Do you know approximately how many seconds you need to cross this street?
a. YES (if yes, please indicate the number of seconds)
b. NO
4. Does the number of seconds displayed on the signal help you make your decision on whether you should start your crossing or not?
a. YES, it helps me to make the decision
b. NO, it doesn't mean anything to me. I do not make my decision based on it.
5. Do you interpret the combination of the flashing DON'T WALK and the countdown numbers to mean it is legal to enter the crosswalk on a flashing DON'T WALK as long as you can reach the other side prior to the countdown signal reaching zero?
a. YES
b. NO
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Attachment D
Pictures and Specifications of Pedestrian Countdown Signals Manufactured by GELcore
[Image shows a two-page brochure. (See pdf version to view images.)]
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Attachment E
Pictures and Specifications of Pedestrian Countdown Signals Manufactured by Tassimco Technologies Canada Inc.
[Image shows two pages of images and diagrams. (See pdf version to view images.)]
TASSIMCO TECHNOLOGIES CANADA INC.
3100, JACOB JORDAN, TERREBONNE (QUEBEC) J6X 4J6
1-800-363-5913
12" PEDESTRIAN LED SIGNAL MODULE
MODEL NO. PLS 120
"SPECIFICATIONS"
1.0 General
1.1 LED Pedestrian signal module designed as retrofit replacements for existing signal lamps shall not require special tools for installation.
1.2 LED modules shall fit into existing 12" traffic signal housings built to VTCSH standards without modification to the housing.
2.0 Environmental
2.1 The LED Signal module shall be rated for use in the ambient operating temperature range of -40°C (-40°F) to +74°C (+165°F).
2.2 The LED module shall be completely sealed against dust and moisture intrusion per the requirements of NEMA Standard 250 - 1991 sections 4.7.2.1 and 4.7.3.2 for type 4 enclosures to protect all internal components.
3.0 Construction
3.1 The LED signal module shall be a single, self-contained device, not requiring on-site assembly for installation into existing traffic signal housing.
3.2 The assembly of the LED module shall be designed to assure all internal components are adequately supported to withstand mechanical shock and vibration from high winds and other sources.
3.3 Three secured, color coded (blue, red, white), 36 inches long, 600V, 16 AWG jacketed wires, rated for service at +105°C, are to be provided for electrical connections.
4.0 Chromaticity
4.1 The measured chromaticity coordinates for the "lunar white" walking man and the "Portland orange" hand shall conform to the chromaticity requirements of section 8.04 and figure 1 of the VTCSH standard.
4.2 The chromaticity measurements shall remain unchanged over the input line voltage range of 80 VAC to 135 VAC.
5.1 The LED signal module shall consist of a double message overlay combining the symbols of a hand and walking man.
5.2 The LED's shall be arranged in a manner to form an outline of the symbols. The shape of the outline shall conform to the standard symbols for pedestrian signals.
5.3 The LED's shall be distributed evenly along the message outline. The distance between each LED shall not vary more than 10%.
5.4 The hand/man symbols shall be not less than 10" in height and 6.5" in width.
5.5 The display shall be made of at least 72 high intensity LED's for each one of the hand/man symbols in order to assure adequate luminous intensity.
5.6 The "Portland orange" LED's shall be of the latest Alln GaP technology and the "lunar white" LED's of the latest In GaN technology.
5.7 The individual LED light sources shall be interconnected so that a catastrophic failure of a single LED will result in a total loss of not more than 3 LED's or 5% of the signal light output.
5.8 There shall be no electronic components visible on the front of the display face. The display face shall consist solely of LED's mounted on a mat black PCB.
6.0 Drive circuitry
6.1 The driver board shall drive the LED's at a DC current not exceeding the maximum rating recommended by the LED manufacturer (20ma).
6.2 The driver board shall regulate the LED drive current on both hand/man messages to compensate for line voltage fluctuations over the range of 80VAC to 135 VAC. The luminous output shall not vary more than 10% over the voltage range and shall not be perceptible to the human eye.
6.3 The drive circuitry shall include voltage surge protection to withstand highrepetition noise transients and low-repetition high-energy transients as stated in section 2.1.6, NEMA Standard TS-2, 1992.
6.4 The on-board circuitry shall meet FCC title 47, Sub-Part B, Section 15 regulations concerning the emission of electronic noise.
6.5 The circuitry shall ensure compatibility and proper triggering and operation of load switches and conflict monitors in signal controllers currently in use by the procuring traffic authority.
7.0 Dimming
7.1 In order to reduce long term degradation to LED's, the signal modules shall be designed to reduce the intensity of light output by 30% in response to diminished ambient light level.
7.2 The dimming circuit shall have a 30 sec. Delay to prevent interference caused by shadows or headlights.
7.3 LED drive current shall be regulated just as effectively when in the "dimmed" state.
7.4 A switch or jumper connector shall be provided to allow user to disable the dimming feature.
8.0 Warranty
8.1 LED signal modules shall be replaced or repaired if fails to function as intended due to workmanship or material defects within the first 60 months from date of delivery.
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TASSIMCO TECHNOLOGIES CANADA INC.
3100, JACOB JORDAN, TERREBONNE (QUEBEC) J6X 4J6
1-800-363-5913
12" COUNTDOWN SIGNAL MODULE
MODEL NO. PCS 120
"SPECIFICATIONS"
1.0 General
1.1 LED countdown module designed as retrofit replacements for existing signal lamps shall not require special tools for installation.
1.2 LED countdown modules shall fit into existing 12" traffic signal housings built to VTCSH standards without modification to the housing.
2.0 Environmental
2.1 The LED countdown module shall be rated for use in the ambient operating temperature range of -40°C (-40°F) to +74°C (+165°F).
2.2 The LED countdown module shall be completely sealed against dust and moisture intrusion per the requirements of NEMA Standard 250 - 1991 sections 4.7.2.1 and 4.7.3.2 for type 4 enclosures to protect all internal Components.
3.0 Construction
3.1 The LED countdown module shall be a single, self-contained device, not requiring on-site assembly for installation into existing traffic signal housing.
3.2 The assembly of the LED countdown module shall be designed to assure all internal components are adequately supported to withstand mechanical shock and vibration from high winds and other sources.
3.3 Three secured, color coded (blue, red, white), 36 inches long, 600V, 16 AWG jacketed wires, rated for service at +105°C, are to be provided for electrical connections.
4.0 Chromaticity
4.1 The measured chromaticity coordinates for the "Portland orange" digits shall conform to the chromaticity requirements of section 8.04 and figure 1 of the VTCSH standard.
4.2 The chromaticity measurements shall remain unchanged over the input line voltage range of 80 VAC to 135 VAC.
5.0 Display
5.1 The LED countdown signal module shall consist of two 7 segment digits.
5.2 The LED's shall be distributed evenly along the message outline. The distance between each LED shall not vary more than 10%.
5.3 The countdown digits shall be 8" high and shall be made of at least 88 LED's.
5.4 The "Portland orange" LED's shall be of the latest Alln GaP technology There shall be no electronic components visible on the front of the display face.
5.5 The display face shall consist solely of LED's mounted on a mat black PCB.
6.0 Drive circuitry
6.1 The driver board shall drive the LED's at a DC current not exceeding the maximum rating recommended by the LED manufacturer (20ma).
6.2 The drive circuitry shall include voltage surge protection to withstand highrepetition noise transients and low-repetition high-energy transients as stated in section 2.1.6, NEMA Standard TS-2, 1992.
6.3 The on-board circuitry shall meet FCC title 47, Sub-Part B, Section 15 regulations concerning the emission of electronic noise.
6.4 The circuitry shall ensure compatibility and proper triggering and operation of load switches and conflict monitors in signal controllers currently in use by the procuring traffic authority.
7.0 Countdown
7.1 The countdown timer module shall have a micro-processor capable of setting it's own time when connected to a traffic controller.
7.2 The countdown timer module shall continuously monitor the traffic controller for any changes to the pedestrian phase time and re-program itself automatically if needed.
7.3 The countdown module shall be compatible with all types of traffic controllers in existence.
7.4 The countdown module shall have two "user selectable" operating modes: 1- "FIXED TIME", in this mode the timer shall count down the entire duration of the walk and clearance time. 2- "COORDINATED", in this mode the timer shall count down the duration of the clearance time only.
7.5 The countdown module shall have an internal conflict monitor to prevent any possible conflicts between the hand/man signals and the countdown signals.
7.6 For safety purposes in the case of emergency, pre-emption or any possible malfunction, the countdown shall automatically clear to "O" if a flashing hand becomes solid for more than .750 sec.
7.7 In the case of a power failure, when power is re-established the countdown display shall blank-out during the initial cycle for automatic re-programming.
7.8 The countdown module shall be equipped with a test switch to turn on all 7 segments of both digits for verification purposes.
7.9 The micro-processor shall be monitored by a watch dog circuit with flashing LED for confirmation of proper operation.
8.0 Dimming
8.1 In order to reduce long term degradation to LED's, the signal modules shall be designed to reduce the intensity of light output by 30% in response to diminished ambient light level.
8.2 The dimming circuit shall have a 30 sec. Delay to prevent interference caused by shadows or headlights.
8.3 LED drive current shall be regulated just as effectively when in the "dimmed" state.
8.4 A switch or jumper connector shall be provided to allow user to disable the dimming feature.
9.0 Warranty
9.1 LED signal modules shall be replaced or repaired if fails to function as intended due to workmanship or material defects within the first 60 months from date of delivery.
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LED Countdown Signals
(version 4.13 - July 4, 2002)
COUNTDOWN OPERATION UNDER PRE-EMPTION
Features
Description of Operation
The countdown signal shall recognize pre-emption calls at the exact time when they occur and skip the pre-empted time to either display the clearance time or "0" depending on the type of pre-emption (emergency vehicle or train pre-emption).
At the cycle following a pre-empted time, the countdown signal shall display the correct time as initially programmed and not be affected by the reduced time. However if the time was extended, the countdown shall automatically re-program itself and display the new extended ti me at the following cycle.
The countdown shall re-program automatically to a reduced time only if the reduced time remains the same for 2 consecutive cycles. However if the reduced time is equal to either 0 or 1 second, the countdown signal shall ignore it and continue to display the correct time as initially programmed.
If the signal controller needs to be re-programmed to a reduced time, the service person can either power down the countdown signals to reset the program or run 2 cycles for the signals to re-program automatically.
Summary
This new firmware version is designed to prevent countdown signals from displaying incorrect time at the cycle following a pre-emption call. At the same time, the countdown signals maintain the ability to re-program automatically if the controller timing is modified. Tassimco firmware version 4.13 differentiates between a pre-empted time and a reduced timing by comparing 2 consecutive cycles. This version will also ignore phase times of 0 or 1 second which can only be attributed to pre-emption calls.
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LED Pedestrian Signals
( Product Features )