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<br />CHAPTER 1. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />Pedestrians are legitimate users of the transportation system, and they should, therefore, be able to use <br />this system safely and without unreasonable delay (figure 1). Pedestrians have a right to cross roads <br />safely, and planners and engineers have a professional responsibility to plan, design, and install safe and <br />convenient crossing facilities. Pedestrians should be included as design users for all streets. <br /> <br />As a starting point, roads should be designed with the premise that there will be pedestrians, that they <br />must be able to cross the street, and that they must be able to do it safely. The design question is, “How <br />can this task best be accomplished?” <br /> <br />Providing marked crosswalks traditionally has been one measure used in an attempt to facilitate crossings. <br />Such crosswalks commonly are used at uncontrolled locations (i.e., sites not controlled by a traffic signal <br />or stop sign) and sometimes at midblock locations. However, there have been conflicting studies and <br />much controversy regarding the safety effects of marked crosswalks. This study evaluated marked <br />crosswalks at uncontrolled locations and offers guidelines for their use. <br /> <br /> <br />Figure 1. Pedestrians have a right to cross the road safely and without unreasonable delay. <br /> <br />HOW TO USE THIS STUDY <br /> <br />Marked crosswalks are one tool used to direct pedestrians safely across a street. When considering <br />marked crosswalks at uncontrolled locations, the question should not be simply, “Should I provide a <br />marked crosswalk or not?” Instead, the question should be, “Is this an appropriate tool for directing <br />pedestrians across the street?” Regardless of whether marked crosswalks are used, there remains the <br />fundamental obligation to get pedestrians safely across the street. <br /> <br />In most cases, marked crosswalks are best used in combination with other treatments (e.g., curb <br />extensions, raised crossing islands, traffic signals, roadway narrowing, enhanced overhead lighting, traffic <br />calming measures). Marked crosswalks should be one option in a progression of design treatments. If <br />one treatment does not accomplish the task adequately, then move on to the next one. Failure of one <br /> 1