New research from the University of the West of England (UWE) has identified side road designs that encourage drivers to give way to pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross – as required by recent changes to the Highway Code.
Researchers set out to understand the impacts of enhanced side road designs that both increase priority and reduce risk for people walking and cycling, which they said is particularly significant because of changes to the Highway Code that came into effect from January 2022.
These changes mean drivers turning in or out of a side road should now give way not only to pedestrians and cyclists who are crossing but also to waiting pedestrians and approaching cyclists.
The project was carried out with funding provided by The Road Safety Trust.
The research team from UWE’s Centre for Transport and Society, observed behaviour at different types of side road crossing, and revealed two designs where drivers were more likely to give way:
- Marked Priority crossings (above) with so-called ‘parallel crossings’ that have a zebra for pedestrians and priority markings for the cycle track crossing.
- Design Priority crossings (below), also called continuous footways, where priority is reinforced by the layout and surface materials.
With both of these enhancements, people crossing did not have to yield to drivers in approximately 90% of interactions compared with 43% of interactions at conventional junctions.
The research also found that users realise the importance of Marked Priority and Design Priority enhancements being implemented consistently and appropriately across the country in order to minimise ambiguity and confusion.
The project was led by Professor John Parkin, transport engineering and deputy director of the Centre for Transport and Society.
He said: ‘Many side road junctions are designed mainly with the movement for vehicles on the carriageway in mind, and they have generous corner radii and wide carriageways. The key point is that priority for people crossing, as required by the Highway Code, is not clear from the design.
‘The project explored the use of priority markings that make it clear to drivers that they need to give way to pedestrians and cyclists who are crossing a side road. These are give way markings placed before the pedestrian and/or cycle track crossing, and sometimes also a zebra crossing for pedestrians.'
Road Safety Trust chief executive Sonya Hurt said: ‘When it comes to encouraging more people to walk and cycle, safety is paramount.
‘We are delighted with the outcomes from this project, including recommendations for side road crossing designs most likely to encourage drivers to give way, thereby reducing risk for those travelling by foot or on bike.'
