THE EFFECT OF SPEED REDUCING PERIPHERALS ON MOTORISTS BEHAVIOR AT PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

This study explored the behavior exhibited by motorists as they approa ched a pedestrian crossing in the presence and absence of a speed hump . It was hypothesized that the low risk normally perceived by drivers could be influenced by the presence of a tactile road stimuli. A withi n subjects experimental design was employed to measure motorists' reac tions. The results indicated that a strong relationship exists between driver behavior and the presence and absence of a roadway stimuli. Th ere was also evidence to suggest that female drivers take more precaut ionary actions than males. This information is useful for roadway desi gners and traffic psychologists who are challenged with devising means of traffic calming and offers a viable: approach that is safe for bot h motorists and pedestrians. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.