Findings from stage 2 site survey

This section presents the observations and findings from the site survey conducted at a Zebra crossing in Edinburgh, providing representative views and quotes from all participant groups.

Findings are grouped into three key themes:

1. Background observations;
2. Crossing experiences; and
3. Suggested improvements.

Background observations

The environment surrounding the Zebra crossing appeared to be relatively quiet during most of the session, although traffic volumes increased towards the end of the survey, notably fewer cars were observed stopping for participants during the busier periods. There were periods of moderate noise, mainly from nearby traffic and grass cutting. The weather fluctuated during the day, from dry to damp, while generally remaining overcast. No extreme weather conditions were observed. (Extreme weather being a weather event which is significantly different from the average or usual perceived weather pattern for that time of year.)

Most participants were noted to be apprehensive as they approached the Zebra crossing. Once they arrived at the crossing, participants were noted to check multiple times for cars coming from both directions. Participants allowed for sufficient time to ensure cars were stopping or had stopped, before they began crossing. Blind/visually impaired participants were observed to use tactile sensing with canes. However, some blind participants found it difficult to locate the tactile paving, meaning it was difficult for them to locate the crossing.

It was noted that several drivers revved their engines while waiting for the participants to cross. Other drivers were observed to patiently wait until the participant had crossed. Most participants did not acknowledge the waiting vehicle as they crossed the road.

Table 8 outlines the conditions (weather, footpath, background noise, traffic levels) at the time of each participant crossing.

Table 8 – Observations during individual participant sessions

Participant No.	Weather Conditions	Footpath Conditions	Background Noise Levels	Traffic Levels
1	Overcast, Wet	Wet	Moderate	Busy
2	Overcast	Damp	Loud	Quiet
3	Overcast	Damp	Loud	Quiet
4	Overcast	Dry	Moderate	Quiet
5	Overcast	Dry	Moderate	Quiet
6	Overcast	Dry	Moderate	Quiet
7	Overcast, raining-lightly	Damp	Quiet	Moderate
8	Overcast	Dry	Quiet	Busy
9	Overcast, raining-lightly	Damp	Quiet	Busy
10	Overcast	Dry	Moderate	Busy

Crossing experiences

Participants reported a range of emotions while waiting to cross the Zebra crossing; from relaxed to anxious and hesitant. Participants who crossed when there was less traffic and were accustomed to using Zebra crossings felt more relaxed or neutral when waiting to cross. Participants felt less relaxed as they approached the crossing if they were unsure if road traffic was going to stop. They also felt anxious judging when the right time to step off the footway was (especially participants who are blind/visually impaired) and felt pressure to cross quickly if they could sense cars waiting. Several participants noted they did not know when it was safe to cross and did not feel safe when attempting to do so.

 I felt I was just taking my life in my hands [when attempting to cross].

(Participant 8, deafblind participant)

Participants felt similar emotions while actively crossing; from relaxed to anxious and hesitant. Participants felt relaxed or neutral as they crossed when there was little traffic, when they were able to confidently assess when it was safe to cross, and if they were accustomed to using Zebra crossings. Participants who were less confident about when it was safe to cross, and unsure if vehicles and cyclists would stop while they were on the crossing, were more anxious during crossing. As mentioned above, some participants also felt pressure to cross fast because cars were waiting:

I’m conscious that the drivers want me to walk quickly on the Zebra crossing. I feel they wanted me to hurry up so they can continue with their journey. I felt hesitant and was thinking, should I run?

(Participant 10, deaf/hearing impaired participant)

Post-crossing, some participants described feeling neutral because they were well accustomed to using Zebra crossings. However, several described a sense of relief that they made it across, and cars no longer had to wait for them.

Feelings of personal visibility

Participants felt they were visible to vehicles and other road users, mainly because they were provided with a high visibility jacket by the research team prior to crossing. A few participants noted that the road was clear and straight which made them feel more visible from a distance. Participant 10 (deaf/hearing impaired participant) noted that some cars did not stop and was therefore unsure how visible they (the participant) were.

Influence of the weather

Around half of the participants said that the weather influenced how they felt about using Zebra crossings. Participant 5 (wheelchair user) noted that wheelchairs and rain are not compatible, and therefore make it quite difficult to cross the road during rainy weather. A few other participants also commented that rain influences their feelings towards using Zebra crossings (for example, the footway being slippery and more difficult to walk across when wet). Several participants who are blind/visually impaired noted that it was difficult to see, and thus confidently cross, when it was too light, too dark or raining outside.

Condition of crossing and surrounding area

Blind/visually impaired participants felt that the Zebra crossing had been added as an afterthought (did not fit with the area) and found approaching it difficult due to the expanse of footway space on one side of the crossing (which included trees fenced off with guardrail and acted as obstacles for cane users), lack of building line to guide them and that the crossing was located on a raised table meaning the kerb was flush with the carriageway (this issue is detailed below under locating the crossing).

Despite the negative comments (mainly from blind/visually impaired participants), most participants felt that the condition of the crossing (which was new) was very good. They felt that the white stripes on the road were clear, the Belisha beacon was bright and easy to see, and:

…[

the] tactile [paving] is very distinct from the footway and easy to tell where it began and ended”

(Participant 6, blind/visually impaired participant)

Width of the carriageway

Half of the participants said that the width of the carriageway influenced their feelings and ability to use the crossing. They noted that a wider crossing (as this one was) felt less safe because there is further to walk, and likely more traffic (for example if there are multiple lanes). Additionally, as it takes longer to cross a wider carriageway, anxiety over the impatience of road users is heightened.

With wider roads, I would need to be more observant to make sure all cars are stopping. With a shorter distance to cross, I will only need to worry about one or two cars.

Participant 7 (deaf/hearing impaired participant)

Locating the crossing

Participants' perceptions of the ease of locating the crossing ranged from very easy to very difficult. Participants who are blind/visually impaired (n=4) found it difficult to locate due to it being on a raised table, which made it hard to differentiate the kerb from the footway and identify the tactile markings. Participants 7 and 11 both noted in their audio recording that the kerb was not lowered (the crossing had a raised table) which presented an issue for distinguishing where the footway ended, and the road (crossing) began.

While observing the participants, the researcher noted that Participant 2 (who is over 65) was hesitant when approaching the crossing. Participants 5 and 7 (who are blind/visually impaired) had difficulty finding the tactile paving at the crossing, and a member of the research team had to actively intervene to prevent them from straying onto the road whilst trying to find the kerb line, and guide them to the tactile paving to locate the crossing.

The absence of a kerb I find so difficult.

(Participant 7 deaf/hearing impaired participant)

Furthermore, the tactile paving line did not extend to the building line which Participant 6 (who is blind/visually impaired) found confusing. Conversely, the remaining participants (n=6), who are not visually impaired or blind, found that the raised table made the crossing easier to locate because it stood out on the road. Participants also found the crossing easy to locate as it was well-maintained (as mentioned above, the white lines on the road were clear and the Belisha beacons were bright and could be seen from afar).

Determining when it was safe to cross

Participants determined it was safe to cross if and when they were confident in confirming that the approaching vehicles and cyclists (if any) had stopped moving. This task was easier for some participants (such as those 65 and over) and more difficult for others who were less able to rely on both sight and hearing (such as those who are blind/visually impaired and/or deaf/hearing impaired).

Participants who are blind/visually impaired found it difficult to hear when traffic had stopped, especially if there were cyclists or quiet cars on the road. Participants who are deaf/hearing impaired could not always see when cars or bicycles were approaching. This was particularly difficult for deafblind participants who found both challenging (n=2). 

Participant 9 had a guide dog; its trained response is to stop at the kerb to alert its owner that they should cross. The flush kerb line with the carriageway caused the dog to be confused, resulting in them not acting as trained at the crossing place. In this instance, as the participant felt it was safe, he overrode the dog’s reluctance to cross and proceeded to move across the crossing.

Traffic volume, speed and noise

Participants noted that cyclists and quiet vehicles were often difficult to hear regardless of weather. One participant who is deafblind and wears hearing aids reflected on their general experiences, noting that when it is noisy (either due to traffic, the weather or other factors) they are sometimes unable to differentiate noises and establish how far away traffic is. This makes it difficult for them to determine when to cross. Participants 7 and 11 (both blind/visually impaired participants) mentioned on their audio recordings that there was a lot of noise coming from the street traffic.

A few participants crossed when it was quiet and stated that noise was not an issue. One participant noted that the quietness made it easier for them to cross.

When asked about the impact of traffic volume and speed, answers were mixed. A few participants noted that if they determined the traffic volume and speed was high, they took extra care in crossing and deciding when to do so. One participant felt pressure to cross quickly as he felt traffic volume was high.

I wonder if I am the cause of the wait.

Participant 8 (deafblind participant)

Some participants found it difficult to determine traffic speed and if cars were slowing down at the crossing. This often led to hesitancy and anxiety when crossing. A few participants said that even though they were able to determine traffic speed, they did not feel confident that cars would stop at the crossing which also increased anxiety.

If cars travel at a high speed, I don’t feel confident that they will stop. If they travel at a speed that is not too fast, I’ll feel more reassured. I watch the speed of the cars before making a decision.

(Participant 7, deaf/hearing impaired participant)

I thought I would be confident to cross this Zebra crossing but was surprised to see cars passing at a speed without stopping for me. So, it made me wary of the cars on this road. I thought the hi-vis jacket would help me to be more noticeable to the drivers but obviously not. 

(Participant 10, deaf/hearing impaired participant) 

Driver and cyclist behaviour

Most participants noted that driver and cyclist behaviour was generally good at the time of crossing, and this made it easier for them to cross. They felt that drivers and cyclists were slowing down near the crossing and stopping for them to cross, which made them feel safer when crossing.

There were some isolated incidents where some participants noted that this is not always the case. Some road users were perceived to be reluctant to stop, and were impatient when stopped, especially cyclists. As noted previously, there were reports of some drivers revving their engine whilst waiting for the participant to cross. Some drivers towards the end of the day were observed failing to stop for participants.

Ability to see and hear vehicles and cyclists

Most participants noted difficulty in hearing cyclists and electric vehicles. One participant noted that hearing aids are unable to pick up the high pitch of a bicycle bell which renders them useless to hearing aid users. The crossing was on a straight and wide road, which made it easy to see oncoming traffic as compared to crossings on narrow or winding roads.

Ease of moving across and transitioning from kerb to road

Most participants felt it was easy to move across the crossing, aside from Participant 4 (blind/visually impaired participant) who echoed the difficultly in knowing if vehicles and cyclists would stop for them to cross. As participant 6 (blind/visually impaired participant) was crossing, he recorded into his audio device that the crossing felt safe, and he was able to feel the tactile paving on both sides well and cross easily. Most participants felt the transition from road to kerb was comfortable. The raised height of the crossing made the transition smoother, however as noted by a few blind/visually impaired participants, this also made it difficult to know when the crossing began and ended as the crossing was on a raised table.

Suggested improvements

At the end of the interview, participants were asked if they had any suggestions for improvement to the crossing or more generally in the surrounding environment. A few blind/visually impaired participants continued to emphasise the difficulties in being able to distinguish the footway from the crossing when using raised tables. They argued that kerb should drop down more at the crossing.

They also suggested that the tactile paving extend all the way to the building line so they can orient themselves when they reach the footway. In contrast, a few participants (who were not blind/visually impaired) noted that raised tables made for a smoother transition from the kerb to the road (particularly for people with physical disabilities) and suggests to road users that the footway has priority instead of the road.

Aside from changing the Zebra crossing to a signal-controlled crossing, several participants suggested that additional tactile or audio features be added to the crossing (and other Zebra crossings) to help pedestrians know when it is safe to cross (for example a noise or moving object to indicate cars have stopped). 

Case studies

The following case studies illustrate the experiences of road users at greater risk when approaching, crossing and moving away from the crossing.