Evaluation of cross-walk timing and the application of a standard crossing light timing formula

The timing of traffic lights follows the code of uniform signalling devices. As such, the timing for crosswalks is determined by dividing the width of the roadway by 4. Four (4) is a magic number that corresponds to the walking speed of an adult male of ‘average’ age and dates back to some time in the 1950’s. Most importantly, a male of ‘average’ age most certainly does not represent the walking speed of children. To test this hypothesis, random groups of children were timed while walking across roadways in appropriately designated crosswalks. The random groups were divided into Solo, Pair, and Group divisions associated 1, 2 and more than two children. Roadway widths were also randomly chosen to determine if different walking speeds were associated with different roadway widths. In addition, interactions between children and between children and crosswalk guards (if present) were observed and noted to determine their impact on the walking speed of the children observed. The results of this study indicate that roadway crosswalk timing is inadequate for school aged children and results in increased risk due to children rushing (running) across the remaining distance of the roadway to access the sidewalk before the street light changes.