Right-Turn Safety for Pedestrians: Insights from Multilevel Models of Conflicts in Utah

Abstract

Pedestrians and vehicles frequently interact at signalized intersections, where many pedestrian crashes involve right-turning vehicles. Toward improving safety, it is essential to understand the factors influencing pedestrian–vehicle interactions and conflicts. Using post-encroachment time (PET) as a surrogate safety measure, this study investigated associations of various conflict- and location-specific factors with pedestrian conflict severity, and ascertained variations across locations. Data were collected for 639 pedestrian–right-turn vehicle conflicts observed from over 1,000 hours of video at 33 intersections in Utah. Next, correlations were calculated and multilevel models (conflicts nested within intersections) were estimated. Conflicts tended to be more severe (shorter PET) when pedestrians were younger, men, leaving the curb, and using the second crosswalk that drivers encounter when turning right. Conversely, conflicts were less severe (longer PET) for women, those using strollers or wheelchairs, and pedestrians approaching the curb or using the first crosswalk. Concerning traffic signal operations, more severe conflicts occurred when vehicles were turning right on green and when pedestrians were crossing against a “Steady Don’t Walk” indication. Conflicts tended to be slightly less severe at locations with larger corner radii, high-visibility crosswalk markings, shared thru/right-turn lanes, channelized and unsignalized right-turn lanes, nonskewed intersections, and more pedestrian volumes. These results offer practical implications, such as using corner geometry and continental crosswalk markings to increase visibility between pedestrians and drivers, or considering warning signs, leading pedestrian intervals, and prohibiting right-turns-on-red in some locations. Agencies can leverage these insights to reduce conflict severity and advance Vision Zero safety goals for pedestrians.