Mobility Impact of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon on Corridors Employing Adaptive Traffic Control Systems

Several transportation agencies have been deploying adaptive traffic control systems (ATCSs) to improve the operational performance of signalized intersections, as well as the general arterial network. Although ATCS could improve mobility, not every roadway could experience the full benefits of the system. The performance of ATCS could be influenced by corridor characteristics, including but not limited to the AADT, midblock traffic control devices, railroad crossings, interchanges, and the number of side streets. Pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is a traffic control device designed to help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways at midblock crossings and uncontrolled intersections. PHBs play a crucial role in reducing pedestrian crashes at unsignalized locations. Nevertheless, several studies have suggested that using PHBs may lead to increased delays and reduced operational efficiency, especially along coordinated signal corridors, since PHBs require vehicles to come to a complete stop when activated. However, the influence of PHBs on traffic mobility along a corridor with ATCSs remains unexplored. This study aims to evaluate the impact of PHBs on mobility at both segment and corridor levels, within a setting where ATCSs are in operation. Data is collected at three different PHBs and the adjacent signalized intersections in Tucson, Arizona. Various scenarios are evaluated, encompassing differing numbers of PHBs on a road segment and PHB activations. Additionally, factors such as traffic volume and the frequency of pedestrian phases at adjacent signalized intersections are considered. The study findings could offer practitioners valuable insights for considering PHBs when selecting sites for implementing ATCSs.