Analysis of Pedestrian–Vehicle Traffic Conflicts in Street Designs with Elements of Shared Space

Abstract

Changes in pedestrian–vehicle traffic conflicts in urban streets redesigned according to the principles of shared space were investigated with a recently developed pedestrian–vehicle conflict analysis (PVCA) method. In a first step, the PVCA method was revised to reflect more accurately the features of shared space; this revision included the definition of a systematic process for identifying conflict occurrences on the one hand and the full quantification of the conflict severity grading process on the other. Then the refined PVCA method was applied to a case study in London with video data from periods before and after the redevelopment of the Exhibition Road site from a conventional dual carriageway to a modern design with some elements of shared space. The results of the comparative analysis indicated a general decrease in traffic conflict rates as a result of the redesign but also highlighted specific issues that may require additional analysis.