Pedestrian Safety

To make streets safer for pedestrians, the city is going high-tech.

Innovations include lights installed in the pavement and flashing lights on poles to let drivers know someone is crossing the street. For the visually impaired, some intersections are being equipped with special vibrating pads and others with beeping noises to let the walker know it’s time to cross.

At the same time, an old standby --the painted crosswalk-- is disappearing.

Unless deemed necessary, crosswalks aren’t repainted when streets are repaved, said Jim Sherman, principal transportation engineer for the city of Los Angeles.

“We’ve always felt the marked crosswalk gives a false sense of security. With the lines not being there, pedestrians tend to be more cautious, trying to find a gap in traffic rather than force their way across,” Sherman said.

Indeed, a city study of 105 intersections citywide from 1982 to 1991 showed that pedestrian accidents dropped 73% after the crosswalks were removed.

He concedes it may not make sense at first glance to remove marked crosswalks. However, a crosswalk is no protection against a moving car.

“When there is a conflict between a car and a pedestrian, the car is going to win,” he said.

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Smart Crosswalk:

Helps alert drivers that pedestrian is using crosswalk.

Cost: $15,000.

City’s first unit activated March 3 in Sun Valley; city hopes to have a total of 10 operating by June.

How it works:

1) Microwave sensors detect pedestrian.

2) Sensors located overhead trigger flashing yellow lights.

3) Lights warn motorists to slow down.

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Tactile Pedestrian Indicator

Helps pedestrians with failing eyesight.

Cost: $750.

Valley’s first units installed a year ago at Lindley Avenue and Nordhoff Street and at Plummer Street and Zelzah Avenue, across from Cal State Northridge.

How it works:

1) Street crossing activator is outfitted with a large, three-dimensional arrow.

2) Users touch the arrow as they wait for the green light.

3) Arrow vibrates during the normal “walk” time, indicating the direction pedestrians may cross.

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In-Pavement Warning System

Helps alert drivers that pedestrian is using crosswalk.

Cost: $8,000 to $18,500, depending on features.

City of Los Angeles plans to install at one or two locations near beach area in the coming year. One installed recently in Amgen complex in Thousand Oaks.

How it works:

1) Pedestrian pushes button or in some cases, simply disturbs an infrared beam.

2) Sensors in street trigger amber lights embedded in pavement.

3) Lights warn motorists to slow down.

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Audible Pedestrian Signal

Helps the visually impaired.

Cost: $1,000.

Several installed throughout Los Angeles, including near Braille Institute on Vermont Avenue and near Goodwill Industries on San Fernando Road.

How it works:

1) Pedestrian pushes oversized button, or in some models, microwave sensors detect pedestrian waiting for crosswalk.

2) Noise emitted when walk sign comes on.

3) Pedestrian alerted by sound as to direction in which to cross.

Stats

From 1982-91, the city of Los Angeles studied 105 intersections where crosswalks had been removed after the street was paved.

Accidents involving pedestrians:

Before crosswalks were removed: 113

After removal: 31 (73% drop)

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Citations

Vehicle code 21950.A: failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk

Vehicle code 21951: overtaking a vehicle that’s waiting for a pedestrian

Vehicle code 21954.A.: jaywalking on a roadway

Vehicle code 21955: jaywalking between intersections with traffic signals

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Pedestrian-related violations (all four violations combined)

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Central Bureau 10,358 8,842 9,582 South Bureau 5,001 3,446 3,511 West Bureau 3,499 3,694 3,629 Valley Bureau 3,644 3,341 4,707 Citywide total 22,502 19,323 21,429

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Valley Bureau breakout

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1995 1996 1997 Van Nuys 1,095 1,325 1,843 West Valley 446 435 702 North Hollywood 1,309 893 1,016 Foothill 281 402 332 Devonshire 513 286 814

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Sources: Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Los Angeles Police Department, Light Guard Systems Inc.; Researched by STEPHANIE STASSEL / Los Angeles Times