Crosswalk Utilization by Pedestrian: Perception versus Reality - Case Study of New Delhi

Pedestrian safety at signalized intersections is a major cause of concern all over the world. Properly marked crosswalk enhances the safety of pedestrians as it is a well recognized crossing location by drivers. However a large number of accidents are reported at intersections predominantly due to the violation behavior of pedestrians. This study aims at understanding the crosswalk utilization behavior of pedestrians at urban signalized intersections. Data was collected through video recording and a questionnaire survey. Significant variables were identified and modelled using binomial logistic regression. Pedestrian personal level factors were found to significantly affect crosswalk compliance. Discrepancies were identified between perception and reality, suggesting that variation exists between what people say and what they practice in reality. The findings from this study suggest that a perception based study may not be as reliable as an observational study. The findings have both theoretical as well as practical implications and would certainly help the policy makers and designers in enhanced understanding of pedestrian behavior at urban signalized intersections.