Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System
An advance pedestrian warning sign located prior to a crosswalk. Source: Toole Design Group
Regulatory signs, such as STOP, YIELD, or turn restriction signs such as NO TURN ON RED require compliant driver actions and can be enforced. Warning signs can provide helpful information, especially to motorists and pedestrians unfamiliar with an area.
Advance pedestrian warning signs should be used where pedestrian crossings may not be expected by motorists, especially if there are many motorists who are unfamiliar with the area. A new fluorescent yellow/green color is approved for pedestrian, bicycle, and school warning signs (Section 2A.11 of the MUTCD).1 This bright color attracts the attention of drivers because it is unique.
All signs should be periodically checked to make sure that they are in good condition, free from graffiti, retroreflective at night, and continue to serve the intended purpose. In unusual cases, signs may be used to prohibit pedestrian crossings at an undesirable location and re-route them to a safer crossing location, or warn pedestrians of unexpected driver maneuvers. It is preferable to create safe crossings where there are clear pedestrian destinations. If unexpected driving maneuvers occur at what is an otherwise legal pedestrian crossing, an evaluation should be done to find ways to remedy or prevent the unsafe motorist maneuvers.