Editing Pedestrian crossing (section)

== Types and design ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Type (incl. various names)
!Image
!Description
!Notes
|-
|Informal crossings
|[[File:Cyclists Crossing Refuge Crossing Onehunga.jpg|frameless]]
|Crossings giving equal priority to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
|A refuge is sometimes installed so that a pedestrian can cross in two stages; called 'unmarked crosswalk' in North America.
|-
|Zebra crossing
|[[File:Zebra crossing, Rochdale Road, Greetland - geograph.org.uk - 2640706.jpg|200x200px]]
|Formed of black and white stripes (resembling a [[Zebra]]). Pedestrians normally have priority over vehicular traffic.
|Called a 'marked crosswalk' in North America.
|-
|Signal-controlled crossing
|[[File:Pelican crossing on Cuffley Hill (geograph 2443957).jpg|frameless]]
|Crossing with call buttons, pedestrian signals, and traffic lights, [[HAWK beacon]]s, or Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) |url=https://highways.dot.gov/safety/proven-safety-countermeasures/rectangular-rapid-flashing-beacons-rrfb}}</ref> for vehicular traffic.
|Sometimes known as a 'pelican crossing'
|-
|Multi-user crossing
|[[File:Cycleway Assen G11.jpg|frameless]]
|Crossings allowed to be used by non-pedestrians, such as cyclists or horse riders.
|Sometimes known as 'toucan crossing'
|-
|Pedestrian underpass
|[[File:Pedestrian subway, Melrose Bypass - geograph.org.uk - 2541584.jpg|frameless]]
|A pedestrian pathway in a tunnel under a road, providing a crossing without interrupting pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
|Also known as a [[Subway (underpass)|subway]].
|-
|Pedestrian overpass
|[[File:A Pedestrian overpass on Wenxin Rd. near Changping Rd., Taichung 03.jpg|frameless]]
|Footbridge over a pedestrian pathway, allowing pedestrians to cross without interrupting vehicular traffic.
|Also known as a [[footbridge]].
|}

===Unmarked crossings===

[[File:Ivan Jack Drive traffic island.jpg|thumb|193x193px|A pedestrian refuge in [[Wagga Wagga]], Australia]]
[[File:Courtesy crossing 784.jpg|thumb|A courtesy crossing in [[Havelock North]], New Zealand|upright=.6]]

In some countries, including the US, "unmarked crosswalks" are presumed to occur at intersections even if a crossing is not marked, except at locations where pedestrian crossing is expressly prohibited.<ref name="row-xwalk50">{{cite web |title=Right of Way in the Crosswalk |url=http://americawalks.org/wp-content/upload/Right-of-Way-in-the-Crosswalk_2013.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729000248/http://americawalks.org/wp-content/upload/Right-of-Way-in-the-Crosswalk_2013.pdf |archive-date=29 July 2014}}</ref>

Pedestrian refuges are uncontrolled crossings with two dropped kerbs and a central [[traffic island]], protected by kerbs. The island allows pedestrians to cross the road one direction of traffic at a time, which can be quicker and safer (they decrease pedestrian accidents by around 40%) than a lack of crossing. Additionally, they can narrow the road, slowing down vehicles and preventing them from overtaking. However, they may not afford pedestrians priority, meaning pedestrians may have a longer wait than a controlled crossing. They can also create pinch points, which can be dangerous for cyclists.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=Pedestrian Refuge Island {{!}} Traffic Choices - aiding traffic scheme decisions|url=https://www.trafficchoices.co.uk/traffic-schemes/refuge-island.shtml|access-date=2022-01-02|website=www.trafficchoices.co.uk}}</ref>

Courtesy crossings are uncontrolled crossings with coloured surfacing or some other non-formal suggestion that pedestrians may cross. They aim to encourage concentrated pedestrian crossings and to encourage drivers to let pedestrians cross the roads out of courtesy, rather than obligation. The inclusion of stripes (e.g. in paving), the presence of narrowing and visual narrowings of the road positively affect courtesy.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Jones|first1=P.|last2=Di Guardo|first2=G.|date=2019-07-10|title=Analysing pedestrian and vehicle interaction at courtesy crossings|url=https://www.ptrc-training.co.uk/Resources/TPM|access-date=2022-01-02|website=In: The 17th Annual Transport Practitioners' Meeting. PTRC: Oxford, UK. (2019)}}</ref>

===Marked crossings===
[[File:4876Maduya, Carmona, Cavite Landmarks 33.jpg|thumb|A woman at a marked crossing in [[Carmona, Cavite|Carmona]], [[Philippines]]]]
The simplest marked crossings may just consist of some markings on the road surface. In the US these are known as "marked crosswalks".<ref name="row-xwalk50" /> In the UK these are often called [[zebra crossing]]s, referring to the alternate white and black stripes painted on the road surface.<ref name="Trafford Council">{{Citation |title=Your Guide to Pedestrian Crossings |url=https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-lifestyle/sport-and-leisure/walking/docs/a-guide-to-pedestrian-crossings.pdf |access-date=9 March 2017 |publisher=Trafford Council}}</ref> If the pedestrian has priority over vehicular traffic when using the crossing, then they have an incentive to use the crossing instead of crossing the road at other places. In some countries, pedestrians may not have priority, but may be committing an offence if they cross the road elsewhere, or "[[Jaywalking|jaywalk]]". Special markings are often made on the road surface, both to direct pedestrians and to prevent motorists from stopping vehicles in the way of foot traffic. There are many varieties of signal and marking layouts around the world and even within single countries. In the [[United States]], there are many inconsistencies, although the variations are usually minor. There are several distinct types in the United Kingdom, each with their own name.

[[Road marking machine|Pedestrian cross striping machines]] are special equipment professionally used to paint zebra lines on the intersections or other busy road sections. Because of the characteristics of zebra crossings, parallel stripes that are wide but not long, the striping machine is often a small hand-guided road marking machine, which can easily be made to change direction. There are differences between the engineering regulations in different countries. The marking shoe of a pedestrian cross striping machine, which determines marking lines' width, is much wider than on other marking machines. A smaller marking shoe with wheels may be used to perform the [[road striping]].

The section of [[road]] should be swept clean and kept dry. The painter first pulls a guiding line straight and fix the two ends on the ground. Then they spray or brush a primer layer on the [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]] or [[concrete]] surface. The thermoplastic [[paint]] in powder form is then melted into a molten liquid state for painting. Finally, the painter pulls or pushes the striping machine with the guide rod along the guiding line.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}} As an alternative to thermoplastics, household paint or [[epoxy]] can be used to mark crosswalks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guide for Maintaining Pedestrian Facilities for Enhanced Safety Research Report - Safety |url=https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/tools_solve/fhwasa13037/research_report/chap2e.cfm |access-date=18 March 2017 |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |language=en-us}}</ref>

===Signal-controlled crossings===
[[File:TUCANCrossing.jpg|thumb|A toucan crossing in England]]
Some crossings have pedestrian traffic signals that allow pedestrians and road traffic to use the crossing alternately. On some traffic signals, pressing a [[#Call button|call button]] is required to trigger the signal.<ref name="buttons nyt" /><ref name="buttons bbc" /> [[#Audible signals|Audible]] or [[#Tactile indications|tactile]] signals may also be included to assist people who have poor [[Visual perception|sight]].<ref name="mutcd-4e" /> In many cities, some or most signals are equipped with [[#Countdown timers|countdown timers]] to give notice to both drivers and pedestrians the time remaining on the crossing signal.<ref name="mutcd-4e" /> In places where there is very high pedestrian traffic, [[Embedded pavement flashing-light system]]s are used to signal traffic of pedestrian presence, or [[pedestrian scramble|exclusive traffic signal phases for pedestrians]] (also known as Barnes Dances) may be used, which stop vehicular traffic in all directions at the same time.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 2012 |title=Death by Car |url=https://nymag.com/news/features/traffic-2012-12/index1.html |access-date=24 February 2017 |website=NYMag.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jaffe |first=Eric |date=18 December 2012 |title=A Brief History of the Barnes Dance |url=http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2012/12/brief-history-barnes-dance/4189/ |access-date=24 February 2017 |website=CityLab}}</ref>

==== Pedestrian scramble ====
[[File:GFX02488 (33373154670).jpg|thumb|A pedestrian scramble in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]]]
Some intersections display [[Traffic light|red lights]] to vehicles in all directions for [[Traffic light#Traffic signal cycles|a period of time]]. Known as a [[pedestrian scramble]], this type of vehicle [[all-way stop]] allows pedestrians to cross safely in any direction, including diagonally.

===Footbridges and tunnels===
[[File:Pedestrian overhead crosswalk.webp|thumb|Pedestrian overhead crosswalk]]
[[Footbridge]]s or pedestrian [[tunnel]]s may be used in lieu of crosswalks at very busy intersections as well as at locations where [[limited-access road]]s and [[controlled-access highway]]s must be crossed. They can also be beneficial in locations where the sidewalk or pedestrian path naturally ascends or descends to a different level than the intersection itself, and the natural "desire line" leads to a footbridge or tunnel, respectively.<ref name="Wetmore 2012"/> 

However, pedestrian bridges are ineffective in most locations; due to their expense, they are typically spaced far apart. Additionally, ramps, stairs, or elevators present additional obstacles, and pedestrians tend to use an at-grade pedestrian crossing instead.<ref name="Wetmore 2012">{{cite web | last=Wetmore | first=John | title=Perils For Pedestrians | website=Pedestrian Bridges | date=29 October 2012 | url=http://www.pedestrians.org/bridges.html | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref> A variation on the bridge concept, often called a [[skyway]] or skywalk, is sometimes implemented in regions that experience inclement [[weather]].

===Crosswalk shortening===
[[Pedestrian refuge]]s or small islands in the middle of a street may be added when a street is very wide, as these crossings can be too long for some individuals to cross in one cycle.<ref name="Officials Initiative 2016 p. 88">{{cite book | author1=National Association of City Transportation Officials |author2=Global Designing Cities Initiative | title=Global Street Design Guide | publisher=Island Press | year=2016 | isbn=978-1-61091-702-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U5V_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA88 | access-date=20 April 2017 | page=88}}</ref> These pedestrian refuges may consist of building [[traffic island]]s in the middle of the road; extending an existing island or [[median strip]] to the crosswalk to provide a refuge; or simply cutting through the existing island or median strip where the median is already continuous.<ref name="Officials Initiative 2016 p. 88"/>

Another relatively widespread variation is the [[curb extension|curb/kerb extension]] (also known as a bulb-out), which narrows the width of the street and is used in combination with crosswalk markings. They can also be used to slow down cars, potentially creating a safer crossing for pedestrians.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Fisher | first1=Donald L. | last2=Rizzo | first2=Matthew | last3=Caird | first3=Jeffrey | last4=Lee | first4=John D. | title=Handbook of Driving Simulation for Engineering, Medicine, and Psychology | publisher=CRC Press | year=2011 | isbn=978-1-4200-6101-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lnTA8sT8gkEC&pg=SA34-PA10 | access-date=20 April 2017 | page=34–PA10}}</ref>

===Artwork crossings===
[[File:Rainbow pedestrian in Chicago.jpg|thumb|A rainbow pedestrian crossing in [[Chicago]], United States]]{{See also|Rainbow crossing}}
Some crosswalks, known as colourful crossings, include unique designs, many of which take the form of artwork. These works of art may serve many different purposes, such as attracting tourism or catching drivers' attention.<ref name="Perry 2016">{{cite web | last=Perry | first=Francesca | title=Creative crosswalks around the world – in pictures | website=the Guardian | date=14 July 2016 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2016/jul/14/creative-crosswalks-pedestrian-zebra-crossings-around-world-in-pictures | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref>

Cities and towns worldwide have held competitions to paint crosswalks, usually as a form of artwork.<ref name="Perry 2016"/> In [[Santiago]], Chile, a 2013 work by Canadian artist Roadsworth features yellow-and-blue fish overlaid on the existing crosswalk. Other crossings worldwide also feature some of Roadsworth's work,<ref>{{cite web|last=Metcalfe|first=John|date=25 February 2014|title=How to Make Crosswalks Artistically Delightful|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-02-25/how-to-make-crosswalks-artistically-delightful|access-date=10 September 2021|website=CityLab}}</ref> including a crosswalk in [[Montreal]] where the zebra stripes are shaped like bullets, as well as "conveyor belt" crosswalk in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina]].<ref name="Perry 2016"/> In [[Lompoc, California]], several artists were commissioned to create an artwork as part of its "Creative Crossings" competition. Artist Marlee Bedford painted the first set of four crosswalks as part of the 2015 competition,<ref>{{cite web | last=Jacobson | first=Willis | title='Creative Crossings' organizers unveil crosswalk artwork | website=Lompoc Record | date=21 August 2015 | url=http://lompocrecord.com/news/local/creative-crossings-organizers-unveil-crosswalk-artwork/article_ba3c474f-85d4-53fc-8d26-718d3421f23b.html | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref> and Linda Powers painted two more crosswalks in 2016 following that year's competition.<ref>{{cite web | last=Jacobson | first=Willis | title=Second set of Lompoc crosswalks undergoes artistic makeover | website=Lompoc Record | date=22 April 2016  | url=http://lompocrecord.com/news/local/second-set-of-lompoc-crosswalks-undergoes-artistic-makeover/article_7357acf2-6c79-54e2-b7d6-da5527f62115.html | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref>

In [[Tbilisi]], Georgia, some Tbilisi Academy of Arts students and government officials jointly created a crossing that is designed to look like it is in [[three-dimensional space|3D]]. A message on the white bars of the crosswalk reads, "for your safety."<ref name="Perry 2016"/><ref>{{cite web | title=Tbilisi opening up for colorful crosswalks | website=GeorgianJournal | date=31 January 2017 | url=http://www.georgianjournal.ge/society/32349-tbilisi-opening-up-for-colorful-crosswalks.html | access-date=20 April 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> 3D crosswalk designs have also been installed in China, with a "floating zebra crossing" implemented in a village in [[Luoyuan County]] to boost tourism;<ref name="Perry 2016"/> a multicolored 3-D crossing installed in [[Changsha]], China to catch drivers' attention;<ref>{{cite web | title=Colorful 3D zebra crossing seen in China's Changsha | website=Xinhua | date=29 January 2015 | url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2015-01/29/c_133956249.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016153051/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2015-01/29/c_133956249.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=16 October 2015 | language=en | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref> and another multicolored crossing in [[Sichuan]] Province that serves the same purpose as the colored Changsha crosswalk.<ref name="WebUrbanist 2012">{{cite web | title=Ten More Creative Crosswalks & Zany Zebra Crossings | website=WebUrbanist | date=27 May 2012 | url=http://weburbanist.com/2012/05/27/10-more-creative-crosswalks-zany-zebra-crossings/ | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref>

Colored crosswalks might have themes that reflect the immediate area. For instance, [[Chengdu]], China had a red-and-white zebra crossing with hearts painted on it, reflecting its location near a junction of two rivers.<ref>{{cite web | title=Love zebra crossing in Chengdu | website=Xinhua | date=3 February 2009 | url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/03/content_10754819.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206085344/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/03/content_10754819.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=6 February 2009 | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="Perry 2016"/><ref name="WebUrbanist 2012"/> In [[Curitiba]], Brazil, a crosswalk with its bars irregularly painted like a [[barcode]] served as an advertisement for a nearby shopping center, but was later painted over.<ref name="WebUrbanist 2012"/> A [[pedestrian scramble]] in the [[Chinatown, Oakland|Chinatown]] section of [[Oakland, California]], is painted with red-and-yellow colors to signify the colors of the [[flag of China]].<ref name="WebUrbanist 2012"/><ref>{{cite journal | last1=Bechtel | first1=Allyson K. | last2=MacLeod | first2=Kara E. | last3=Ragland | first3=David R. | title=Oakland Chinatown Pedestrian Scramble: An Evaluation | journal=Safe Transportation Research & Education Center | date=17 December 2003 | url=http://escholarship.org/uc/item/3fh5q4dk | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Kunst-am-campus.jpg|alt=Pedestrian crossing sign used in art, University of Bremen campus, Germany.|thumb|Pedestrian crossing sign used in art, [[University of Bremen]] campus, [[Germany]]|upright]]
Sometimes, different cities around the world may have similar art concepts for their crosswalks. [[Rainbow flag (LGBT movement)|Rainbow flag]]-colored crosswalks, which are usually painted to show support for the locality's [[LGBT]] cultures, have been installed in [[San Francisco]];<ref>{{cite web | last=Branson-Potts | first=Hailey | title=San Francisco's Castro District to get gay pride rainbow crosswalks | website=Los Angeles Times | date=14 March 2014 | url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-francisco-castro-rainbow-crosswalks-20140314-story.html | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="Perry 2016"/> [[West Hollywood, California|West Hollywood]];<ref>{{cite web | title=West Hollywood's rainbow-colored crosswalks to stay | website=Los Angeles Times | date=27 August 2012 | url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/08/west-hollywoods-rainbow-colored-crosswalks-to-stay.html | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref> [[Philadelphia]];<ref>{{cite web | title=Crews Paint Rainbow Crosswalks in Center City | website=CBS Philly | date=25 June 2015 | url=http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/06/25/crews-paint-rainbow-crosswalks-in-center-city/ | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref> and [[Tel Aviv]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Lior | first=Ilan | title=Tel Aviv's rainbow crosswalk draws cheers, then jeers, online | website=haaretz.com | date=16 May 2012 | url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/tel-aviv-s-rainbow-crosswalk-draws-cheers-then-jeers-online-1.430884 | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="Perry 2016"/> Crosswalks painted like [[musical keyboard|piano keyboard]]s have been painted in [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]];<ref>{{cite web | title=Long Beach Tunes Up Road Safety With Painted Piano Crosswalks | website=NBC Southern California | date=30 September 2016 | url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Long-beach-Piano-Crosswalks-395385121.html | access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref> [[Warsaw]];<ref name="Perry 2016"/><ref name="WebUrbanist 2012"/> and [[Chongqing]].<ref name="Perry 2016"/>

The United States [[Federal Highway Administration]] prohibits crosswalk art due to concerns about safety and visibility, but U.S. cities have chosen to install their own designs. [[Seattle]] had 40 crosswalks with unique designs, including the rainbow flag in [[Capitol Hill, Seattle|Capitol Hill]] and the [[Pan-African flag]] in the [[Central District, Seattle|Central District]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rueb |first=Emily S. |date=7 October 2019 |title=The Government Says Rainbow Crosswalks Could Be Unsafe. Are They Really? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/07/us/crosswalks-ames-iowa-safety.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=7 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Jessica |date=6 August 2015 |title=Crosswalks marked with colors of Pan-African flag |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/central-district-crosswalks-marked-with-colors-of-pan-african-flag/ |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |access-date=7 October 2019}}</ref>

Colourful crossings have been criticised for creating accessibility issues. For blind and visually impaired pedestrians, consistency in design is important to ensure a safe crossing. Visually impaired people with limited sight and [[neurodivergent people]] may experience pain or confusion in interpreting colourful crossings or distress from visual noise. These crossings may therefore discriminate against marginalised groups in accessing public spaces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.transportforall.org.uk/campaign/colourful-crossings/|title = Colourful Crossings » Transport for All| date=28 September 2021 }}</ref>

===Raised crossings===

Raised crossings are a [[traffic calming]] measure that contains [[speed table]]s spanning the crossing. The crossings are demarcated with paint and/or have special paving materials. These crossings allow the pedestrian to cross at grade with the sidewalk and has been shown to reduce pedestrian crashes by 45% due to reduction of vehicular speeds and the prominence of the pedestrian in the driver's field of vision.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raised Crosswalk |url=https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/step/docs/techSheet_RaisedCW2018.pdf |access-date=20 May 2024}}</ref>