The Hawaii DOT just announced a pilot project to better protect pedestrians in tourist-centric Waikiki where there have been countless deadly accidents involving pedestrians. The major intersections at Ala Moana Blvd and Hobron Lane, and Ala Moana Blvd. and Ena Road/Kaia Road will be changed next month, in an attempt to better separate vehicular traffic from pedestrians, and thus help avoid accidents.
“An all-pedestrian crossing phase is used to reduce potential conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians by providing a separate phase where all traffic signals at the intersection are red. Signs to caution pedestrians to cross only on the walk or walking person signal will be installed on poles at the subject intersections.”
DOT pointed out that this will not provide diagonal crossings, however, which are also called the pedestrian scramble. The change is expected to reduce potential vehicle and pedestrian conflict areas from 6 to 1, reduce vehicle delays by 30% and increase pedestrian delays from 26 to 39 seconds.
Further changes are possible. Following the one-month pilot project, DOT will try to determine the best long-term cross-walk configurations throughout Waikiki.
See: Warning: Two Hawaii Tourists Critically Injured In Pedestrian Accidents.
Did DOT offer any explanation why they do not institute diagonal-crossing (“pedestrian scramble”) now?
It will not be difficult for people to quickly figure out all the vehicle signal lights are red, and no vehicles are entering the center of the intersection, so why not cut across the intersection diagonally and avoid wasting time waiting for the next all-pedestrian cycle to occur.
What? You expect the government to think logically?
Good need