Exploratory Analysis of Driver Yielding at Low-Speed, Uncontrolled Crosswalks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

One of the most common circumstances contributing to pedestrian crashes is drivers failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. A better understanding of driver yielding behavior can help identify optimal safety treatments to improve driver yielding and prevent pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Recognizing this need, this study observed driver yielding behavior at 20 uncontrolled intersections along two-lane arterial and collector roadways with posted speed limits of 25 or 30 miles per hour in Milwaukee, Wisconsin during weekday afternoon peak travel periods in fall 2016. The naturalistic observations showed that drivers yielded 60 times out of 364 opportunities when the pedestrian wished to cross (16% driver yielding rate). Yielding rates differed between intersections, ranging from a high of 60% to a low of 0%. A binary logistic model showed that drivers were more likely to yield to pedestrians when the major roadway had a lower speed limit or less traffic; when the intersection had a shorter crossing distance or a bus stop; and when the pedestrian was White, standing in the street, or acting assertively. Finally, all else equal, intersections with no reported pedestrian crashes in the last 5 years had higher driver yielding rates than intersections with at least two reported pedestrian crashes. While this exploratory study is based on a small sample of observations, it supports several engineering, education, and enforcement strategies and provides suggestions for future studies of driver yielding behavior.