Date of Award
6-2012
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Ron Van Houten
Second Advisor
Dr. Brad Huitema
Third Advisor
Dr. Heather McGee
Keywords
pedestrian, traffic, RRFB, transportation, evaluation
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This study examined the effectiveness of a rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) alone, in-street signs alone, and the RRFB plus in-street sign together on motorist yielding to pedestrians. Participants consisted of drivers in Oakland County, Michigan. Pedestrians were confederate data collectors. The target behavior was driver yielding. The two treatments utilized were the RRFB and the instreet sign. A reversal design was used in which the first set of conditions included baseline, the RRFB alone, two in-street signs alone and the combination of the two in-street signs with the RRFB. All of the treatments affected yielding in the predicted direction, except the two in-street signs were associated with a one-percentage point increase in yielding over the last RRFB data point. Visual analysis revealed that the only treatment that evoked yielding to a greater degree than the other treatments assessed was the combination of the RRFB with the gateway treatment (M=85%, SD=79%). Similarly, the level change from RRFB to the combination of the RRFB and gateway treatment was associated with a significant level change coefficient of .17667 (t=2.44, p=.011).
Recommended Citation
Manal, Hana Sahar, "A Comparison of the Effect of In-Street Pedestrian Signs Alone, the Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon Alone and Both Together on Yielding Behavior" (2012). Masters Theses. 19.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/19