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

Global Journal of Researches in Engineering © 2023 Global Journals ( ) E Volume XxXIII Issue II Version I 62 Year 2023 Understanding the Factors Influencing Pedestrian Crossing Behavior and its Effect on Road Performance in Port Harcourt City Ada George Road Agip 0.91 E Chinda 0.86 D Open Door 0.84 D Gateway 0.88 D Okilton 0.90 D Rumuokwuta-Choba Road GGSS Rumuokwuta 0.96 E NTA 0.91 E Ozuoba 0.93 E Choba 0.96 E This study has utilized the LOS for the assessment of the impact of pedestrian crossing behavior. The LOS in Table 5 shows the V/C value of the road segments ranging from 0.72 to 0.97 which means smooth to low traffic flow with an affected speed and high vehicular density. This is a true reflection of the roads in Port Harcourt. However, at Rumuigbo, Pleasure Park and Government Craft Centre segments along Ikwerre road and Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway Road respectively, the speed are observed to be higher. IV. C onclusion The study identified the factors affecting pedestrian crossing behavior and has used LOS to illustrate how pedestrian crossing behavior affects the traffic flow characteristics of roadways in Port Harcourt City. This study found that age, gender, lack of crossing facilities, use of mobile phones, location of crossing facility, educational awareness are the major factors responsible for pedestrian crossing behavior. It has also been determined through analysis that more people cross the street during rush hours, which causes significant traffic congestion at the selected road segments as a result of no crossing facilities especially at midblock crossings. Also, at signalized intersections, the conformance rate of 73.19% shows that pedestrians here in Port Harcourt can obey traffic rules if the infrastructural systems needed are provided which is better when compared to the study of Mumbai in India according to Marisamynathan & Perumal (2014). V. R ecommendation The following recommendations are put forward to improve pedestrian crossing behavior and traffic flow along roadways in Port Harcourt. i. The government should carryout a proper traffic survey along major roads in Port Harcourt and provide crossing facilities at relevant locations. ii. The government should carryout continuous educational awareness campaigns which will help road users to be acquainted with road signs, signals and regulations. This should start from the nursery school level. iii. Data regarding road accident and pedestrian behavior are lacking in this part of the world. Hence, government should help in making such information available. R eferences R éférences R eferencias 1. ACI – ISTAT, (2013) Annual Report on Road Accidents, ACI – ISTAT, Rome, Italy. 2. Bella, F & Ferrante, C. (2021), Drivers’ Yielding behaviour in different pedestrian crossing configurations: a field survey, J. Adv. Transp. 2021, 8874563, https://doi. org/10.1155/2021/8874563. 3. Bichicchi, F, Mazzotta, C. Lantieri, V. Vignali, A. Simone, G. Dondi, M. Costa, G. Dell’Acqu, & F. Wegman (2017), The influence of pedestrian crossings features on driving behaviour and road safety, in: A. (Eds.), Transport Infrastructure and Systems, Taylor and Francis, London, pp. 741–746, https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315281896. 4. Bhuyan, P & Nayak, M. S. (2013). A review on level of service analysis of urban streets, Transp. Rev.: A Transn. Transdiscip. J. 33 (2) (2013) 219–238, https://doi.org/ 10.1080/01441647.2013.779617 5. Gitelman, V., Carmel, R., Doveh, E. & Hakkert, S., (2017). Exploring safety impacts of pedestrian- crossing configurations at signalized junctions on urban roads with public transport routes. International journal of injury control and safety promotion, pp.1-10. 6. Killi, D. V. & Vedagiri, P. (2014) Proactive evaluation of traffic safety at an unsignalized intersection using micro-simulation, J. Traffic Logist. Eng. 2 (2) 140– 145. 7. Laxman, K. K., Rastogi, R., & Chandra, S., (2010). Pedestrian flow characteristics in mixed traffic conditions. Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 136 (1), pp: 23-33. 8. Li, P., Bian, Y., & Rong, J (2013). Pedestrian Crossing Behavior at Un-signalized Mid-block Crosswalks Around the Primary School. Procedia- Social and Behavioral Science 96, 442e450. 9. Marisamynathan S, & Vedagiri P (2013) Modeling Pedestrian Delay at Signalized Intersection