A Novel Integrated Model under Fuzzy Environments as Support for Determining the Behavior of Pedestrians at Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossings

Abstract

Pedestrians as a vulnerable category of traffic participants demand a special attention, particularly regarding their behavior at unsignalized pedestrian crossings. Unquestionably, when crossing a road at these types of pedestrian crossings, there is a potential risk, for both the pedestrians and other traffic participants, as well. Accordingly, this article shows the research on pedestrians’ behavior at unsignalized intersections, conducted at four locations in the urban environment of Novi Sad. The main goals of this study are reflected in developing a multiphase model by integrating different approaches into one original unique model. First, the efficiency of the observed locations of pedestrian crossings was determined by applying a model consisting of DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis), fuzzy DEA, entropy, CRITIC (CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation), fuzzy FUCOM (Full Consistency Method), fuzzy PIPRECIA (PIvot Pairwise RElative Import Criteria Assessment), and fuzzy MARCOS (Measurement of alternatives and ranking according to COmpromise solution). Then, the following aim of this study is to determine the values of the critical interval and then to compare these values with the accepted interval, which can be considered one of the criteria of safe pedestrians’ crossing the roadway. Apart from this, the aim is related to determining the characteristics of pedestrians’ behavior at unsignalized crossings, with a special reference to gender differences, as well to the fact whether the pedestrian crosses the roadway as an individual or within a group. After the empirical research and data classification, efficiency calculation, an extensive statistical and verification analysis was conducted to determine the set goals. The results imply that the relationship of the values of the accepted and critical intervals indicates the occurrence of the risky behavior of a certain number of pedestrians, which is reflected in accepting the intervals that are not completely safe for crossing the roadway and which can negatively affect the sustainable functioning of the traffic system.