Determining Sample Measures of Distracted Driving, Distracted Pedestrian Activities and Impacts of Such Behavior on Traffic Operations at Signalized Intersections

BDV24 TWO 977-35Distracted drivers and pedestrians pose one of the most difficult challenges to ensuring a safe and efficient transportation system. Modern communications have delivered greater convenience. However, this has come at the cost of attention spans. Safety has been thoroughly explored in terms of distracted driving and pedestrians. However, impacts on traffic operations have received minimal research attention. Few studies provided a theoretical mechanism for affecting intersection operations but failed to quantify the real-life impacts on traffic operations. Furthermore, new Florida laws prohibit cellphone usage while driving but is allowed when the vehicle is stationary, which may result in increased cellphone use at red lights. This research aims to quantify how distracted driving and pedestrians impact vehicle headways at signalized intersections