Walk or wait? An empirical analysis of street crossing decisions

Mark D. Manuszak, Charles Manski () and Sanghamitra Das
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Mark D. Manuszak: Graduate School of Industrial Administration, Carnegie Mellon University, USA, Postal: Graduate School of Industrial Administration, Carnegie Mellon University, USA

Journal of Applied Econometrics, 2005, vol. 20, issue 4, pages 529-548

Abstract: We examine the behaviour of pedestrians wishing to cross a stream of traffic at signalized intersections. We model each pedestrian as making a discrete crossing choice by comparing the gaps between vehicles in traffic to an individual-specific 'critical gap' that characterizes the individual's minimal acceptable gap. We propose both parametric and nonparametric approaches to estimate the distribution of critical gaps in the population of pedestrians. To estimate the model, we gather field data on crossing decisions and vehicle flows at three intersections in New Delhi. The estimates provide information about heterogeneity in critical gaps across pedestrians and intersections, and permit simulation of the effect of changes in traffic light sequences on pedestrian crossing behaviour and waiting times. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Date: 2005
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Related works:
Working Paper: Walk or wait?: An empirical analysis of street crossing decisions (2003)
Working Paper: Walk or Wait? An Empirical Analysis of Street Crossing Decisions (2004)
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