Effect of Pedestrian Crossings on Traffic Flow Parameters at Mid-block Sections

Pedestrians are a crucial component of urban transportation but are vulnerable at unprotected mid-block locations, especially under mixed traffic conditions. At these locations, some vehicles may yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, but others may use forced gaps to cross the road. This behaviour can reduce vehicle flow and affect traffic conditions. This study aims to investigate the impact of pedestrian crossings on traffic flow characteristics, including speed, capacity and level of service. To analyse these effects, six-lane divided mid-block sections in urban areas were chosen. Videos were recorded at seven sites, including base and non-base sections, during peak and off-peak hours to collect data on traffic volume and speeds. The analysis shows that as traffic flow increases, speed reduces. The most pronounced speed reductions are at ECIL (18.04%) section, followed by Raj Mahal (17.02%), Rama Devi (RD) College (14.68%) and Unit-I (13.32%). Capacity reduction is greatest at Unit-I (56.06%) due to frequent stops and high pedestrian activity, followed by ECIL (32.56%), Raj Mahal (22.29%) and RD College (19.05%). Also, a model has been developed for the number of pedestrians crossing the road and capacity reduction. The level of service (LOS) also degrades from LOS C to LOS D. Based on speed and capacity reductions and the level of service degradation, it is recommended to improve pedestrian crossing infrastructure and facilities.