Effects of Length, Warning, and Congestion on the Walking Velocity of Pedestrians at Railroad Crossings

Abstract

This study aims to clarify the effects of length, warning, and congestion on the walking velocity of pedestrians at railroad crossings. Video recordings of 13,386 pedestrians were made at railroad crossings and their walking velocities were calculated. Multiple regression analyses were conducted with the mean and standard deviation of the pedestrians' walking velocity set as the objective variable. The explanatory variables in this study were the length, warning, and congestion at the railroad crossing. Among the explanatory variables that influenced the mean of walking velocity, warning of railroad crossing had the greatest influence. With all other variables being constant, the mean of walking velocity increased by 0.541 m/s when pedestrians entered the railroad crossing after the railroad crossing rod began falling. Among the explanatory variables that influenced the standard deviation of walking velocity, the congestion had the largest influence. With all other variables being constant, the standard deviation of walking velocity decreased by 0.159 m/s when the congestion increased by 1.0 person/m².