Global Journal of Researches in Engineering, E: Civil & Structural, Volume 23 Issue 2

The ratio of vehicles passing a point in an hour (V) to the maximum number of vehicles that can pass through that place, has been used in this study. LOS performance is assessed using the V/C ratio. The road segments where traffic mitigation measures are required can be identified by this indicator and made known to transportation operators. There are six service levels listed, and each is assigned a letter designation from A to F (Table 1) (Bhuyan & Nayak 2013). The best operational conditions are indicated by LOS A, and the worst operational conditions are indicated by LOS F. Utilizing information from the traffic volume survey, the average LOS of the road segments have been determined. The LOS of each chosen traffic segment was determined using equation 2 in order to evaluate the effects of pedestrian crossing behavior on traffic flow. = 2 Table 1: Level of Service Description (Zhou et al 1997) V/C LOS Class Traffic State 0 - 0.6 A Free flow 0.61 - 0.70 B Stable traffic flow, speed is unaffected 0.71 - 0.80 C Stable traffic flow, speed is affected 0.81 - 0.90 D Stable flow with high vehicle density 0.91 - 1.0 E Low speed >1.0 F Breakdown flow III. R esults and D iscussions a) Pedestrian Crossing Statistics at Midblock Crossing The average pedestrian crossing statistics at midblock crossing observed along the major roads considered in this study are presented in Table 2. Table 2: Pedestrian Crossing Statistics at Midblock Crossing Observed Parameters No. of Observed Pedestrians Percentage (%) Gender Male 422 67 Female 208 33 Age group Children 92 14.6 Adult 452 71.75 Elderly 86 13.65 Crossing type Running 432 68.57 Walking 198 31.43 According to the statistics a total of 630 pedestrians were observed crossing at midblock crossings as shown in Table 2. More men (67%) than women (33%) walk during peak hours, and adult pedestrians make up the largest part (71.75%) as compared to children (14.6%) and the elderly (13.65%). This is in line with a study carried out by Olawole & Olayiwola (2018) and Marisamynathan & Perumal (2014). Also, 68.57% of pedestrians crossing at midblock prefer to run when crossing rather than walk (31.43%). This is because of the lack of crossing facilities which prompts the pedestrians to use the observed vehicle gaps as the safest time to cross. In a study carried out by Marisamynathan & Perumal (2014), 80.26% of pedestrian crossings walk because pedestrian crossing facilities are provided. From observation factors that make pedestrians to run while crossing include lack of crossing facilities, lack of road signs, improper educational awareness of road usage by drivers/pedestrians and behavior of drivers who do not consider pedestrians and other road users while driving. Also, most drivers in Nigeria are inexperienced, unqualified, and do not obey traffic/road rules. This has led to a lot of pedestrian vehicle accident which in most cases are not properly recorded in this part of the world. b) Pedestrian Crossing Statistics at Signalized Intersections The average pedestrian crossing statistics of 526 pedestrians at signalized intersection observed along the major roads considered in this study are presented in Table 3. © 2023 Global Journals Global Journal of Researches in Engineering ( ) E Volume XxXIII Issue II Version I 59 Year 2023 Understanding the Factors Influencing Pedestrian Crossing Behavior and its Effect on Road Performance in Port Harcourt City