OTREC-RR-13-02

OTREC-RR-13-02Some protected left turn phasing has been replaced with a flashing yellow arrow (FYA) for protected permissive left turns. It is important to understand the conflict between pedestrians and the left turning vehicle. This report summarizes research using a high fidelity, motion based driving simulator and eye tracking equipment to study the effects of opposing traffic, the number and vector of pedestrians, and the number of section heads displaying the

Some protected left-turn phasing has been replaced with a flashing yellow arrow (FYA) for protected/permissive left turns. It is important to understand the conflict between pedestrians and the left-turning vehicle. This report summarizes research using a high-fidelity, motion-based driving simulator and eye-tracking equipment to study the effects of opposing traffic, the number and vector of pedestrians, and the number of section heads displaying the FYA on driver performance. 27 subjects completed a six-intersection course, allowing analysis of 620 left-turn maneuvers. More pedestrians led drivers to focus more on crossing pedestrians; with more opposing vehicles, drivers focused less on pedestrians; 5-11% of drivers did not focus on pedestrians in the crosswalk; and no difference was found between any variable and the presence of a three- or four-section head. The results suggest it may be desirable to limit the FYA when pedestrians are present, and that the cost of four-section heads is not justified.