The Land Transport Authority (LTA), the government body that plans the road and rail network in Singapore, relies on a few planning parameters to determine how much time to allocate to each phase of signalized junctions. One of them is walking speed, which is used to determine the minimum time it takes for pedestrians to cross the street at a crosswalk. For example, a three-lane dual carriageway with a central median (ie, the road separator) is about 25 meters wide. Based on a walking speed of 1.1 metres/second, pedestrians must have a minimum of 23 seconds to cross the road, excluding the start-up delay, which normally constitutes another 5 seconds.
Different areas have different parameters, mainly to reflect local demographics. For road junctions in the city area, the walking speed parameter can reach up to 1.3 m/s. On the other hand, housing developments, especially those with more elderly people, could see a minimum of around 0.9 m/s.
In a more recent study (see news below), Singapore finally earns a number one spot in the otherwise medal-less ground transportation sector: by having the fastest-walking people in the world! The study reported that it took Singaporeans 10.55 seconds to walk 18 meters, which translates to a walking speed of 1.7 m/s.
If LTA were to adopt the higher walking speed planning parameter, slower walking pedestrians would have to speed up their walking speed by approximately 25% and, in the meantime, possibly increase their blood pressure as well. On the other hand, cars will have more green time, especially for turning vehicles: this will increase vehicle traffic at signalized junctions and thus reduce queues and traffic jams at junctions.
Personally, I am against raising the planning parameter. I already have to deal with a particular crosswalk near my office that I always can’t cross on time. LTA should consider increasing green time so that they can enjoy more comfortable work after lunch. I’m pretty sure it’s not because of the extra pounds I gain from eating a heavy lunch, if you ask me. 😉
