Description

An uncontrolled intersection is generally used where low vehicle volume roads meet in a T intersection; no control is implemented and normal give way rules apply.  A priority control is generally used for intersections as vehicle volumes increase.  At priority intersections, the side road(s) has either a ‘Give Way’ or a ‘Stop’ control. 

Priority and uncontrolled intersections are the most common intersections in the transport network.  Generally, pedestrians must give way when crossing at priority and uncontrolled intersections. The figures below are examples of uncontrolled and priority intersections

Uncontrolled intersection. (Source: Canterbury Maps)

Priority intersection (STOP). (Source: Canterbury Maps)

Contextual considerations

Uncontrolled and priority intersections have the following benefits and implications for pedestrians crossing.

Benefits

  • Minimal delay for pedestrians to cross when there are low traffic volumes.

Implications

  • The presence of conflicting and turning traffic movements can make crossing decisions more complex for pedestrians. For example, four way stop intersections are generally more difficult for pedestrians to cross.
  • The uncontrolled approaches are likely to have faster traffic speeds and therefore can be more difficult and less safe for pedestrians to cross.
  • Providing corner radii that accommodate large turning vehicles increases crossing distances for pedestrians and turning speeds of smaller vehicles.

Recommended parameters

  • Provide traffic calming and physical crossing aids to minimise crossing distances, reduce vehicle speeds and assist pedestrians to cross. This could include kerb extensions, pedestrian/median refuges, and/or raised platforms.
  • Provide sufficient space for pedestrians to wait on the footpath out of the pedestrian through route.
  • Primary Safe System treatment if operating speeds are below 30km/h.[1]

When traffic volumes are above about 750 vehicles in the peak hour on the major road (approximately 7,500 vehicles per day) it becomes increasingly difficult for pedestrians to find a suitable gap to cross, and therefore their waiting delay becomes unsatisfactory. Therefore, pedestrian median islands are recommended where pedestrians need to cross a major road with a traffic volume of more than about 750 vehicles per hour (7,500 vehicles per day). Low traffic volume environments (less than 750 vehicles in the peak hour) should have kerb extensions to minimise the crossing distances for pedestrians.

PNG: Crossing aids and pedestrian delay

Legal considerations

The kerb and channel of any footpath must permit the safe and easy passage from kerb to kerb of any mechanical conveyance normally and lawfully used by a disabled person.(external link) 

NZ Local Government Act 1974, s331(2)(external link) 

Pedestrians crossing at uncontrolled or priority intersections are required to give way to motor traffic unless there is a zebra crossing present.

Design considerations

Key considerations to accommodate pedestrians at uncontrolled and priority intersections are outlined below. Also check the intersection design principles section for more information.

PNG: Intersection design principles

  • Align crossing points as close as possible to pedestrian desire lines (refer to red lines on photo below).
  • Minimise the crossing distance where pedestrians are exposed to traffic. This can be achieved through kerb extensions and/or pedestrian refuges.
  • Minimise the complexity of the crossing task for pedestrians. For example, median refuges allow pedestrians to cross traffic in one direction at a time.
  • Where pedestrian crossing volumes are significant at uncontrolled/priority intersections, for example in town or activity centre locations, consider whether priority should be given to pedestrians through the installation of zebra crossings on one or more approaches.
  • Provide adequate storage space on footpaths and refuges to accommodate people waiting to cross out of the pedestrian through route. This requires consideration of pedestrian activity and pedestrian crossing delays due to traffic flows.
  • Ensure adequate visibility between pedestrians and other road users. Vertical deflection devices such as pedestrian platforms and raised intersections can assist as they improve the visibility of pedestrians and they also reduce vehicle speeds through the intersection.
  • Ensure lighting of the crossing points is adequate.

PNG: Vertical deflection devices

PNG: Street lighting at crossings

Priority intersection with footpaths and kerb crossings on pedestrian desire lines. (Source: Canterbury Maps)

Refer to Design elements section below for more detailed guidance on specific treatments. 

Design elements

Provide kerb ramps and other intersection cues (including tactile indicators) and ensure these are located appropriately.

PNG: Kerb ramp locations

PNG: Designing for blind and low vision people

Specific treatments can assist pedestrians to cross at uncontrolled and priority controlled intersections or give them priority to cross. The combination of infrastructure depends on the context of the intersection.  Further detail and examples for each treatment are provided below.

Kerb extensions

The shape and layout of kerb extensions will usually reduce crossing distances for pedestrians. The shape of the kerb extensions will depend on the size of turning vehicles using the intersection. Ideally the kerb ramps should be placed on straight sections of the kerb extension for ease of applying tactile indicators that are legible.

PNG: Kerb extensions

Pedestrian refuge islands

Pedestrian refuge islands can assist pedestrians to cross at an intersection as they make the crossing task easier. However, they can result in crossings being located off pedestrians’ natural desire lines particularly if space is required for right turning vehicle movements as shown in the example figure below. Pedestrian refuge islands are usually required if the traffic volumes on the major road exceed about 750 vehicles per hour (approximately 7,500 vehicles per day).

PNG: Crossing selection process

PNG: Pedestrian / median refuges

Layout showing how providing a refuge island can move pedestrians off their desire line indicated by the red arrows. (Source: Ward et al 2020)

Pedestrian platform across side road

A raised platform or raised table can be installed across a side road incorporating a place for pedestrians to cross the side road.  Although in NZ the road rules still afford drivers the priority (pedestrians must give way), the platform serves to reduce vehicle speeds, and provides a more comfortable crossing for pedestrians as they do not have to negotiate kerb ramps down onto the roadway, then back onto the footpath. As pedestrian platforms do not give pedestrians priority, they can be unsuitable for some pedestrians. These treatments can operate as courtesy crossings if the vehicle speeds are low and the street context means vehicle drivers are likely to give way to pedestrians waiting to cross.

PNG: Courtesy crossings

An example of a pedestrian platform across a side road is shown in the photo below. Note, the platform colour is distinct from the footpath to make it clear that pedestrians do not have priority.

Pedestrian platform across a side road, Dunedin. (Photo: Jeanette Ward) Note: Tactile indicators should be applied across the full width of the footpath through route.

Pedestrian platforms are most appropriate where pedestrian volumes are higher than turning vehicle demand, and motor vehicle demand is modest.

Pedestrian platforms often include kerb extensions to narrow the throat of the intersection thereby reducing the crossing distance for pedestrians and to encourage slower vehicle speeds. The pedestrian platform should be located to meet the pedestrian desire line across the side road.

It is important that pedestrians do not falsely perceive the treatment as a continuation of the footpath. To avoid this misunderstanding:

  • the material on top of the treatment should be significantly different in colour and/or texture from the footpath
  • there should be a clear demarcation between the roadway and the footpath.

The table below describes the design elements for pedestrian platforms at side roads.

Table: Design elements for pedestrian platforms across a side road

Element

Requirement

Additional information

Platform height

100mm recommended

75mm may be considered where site constraints and traffic composition suggest a lower height profile is suitable (eg bus routes).


150mm may be considered for low speed (<50km/h) and low traffic volume environments.

Platform length

Minimum length 6m if vehicles may need to stop on the platform (for example, while waiting to enter the traffic flow).

This length enables a standard passenger vehicle to bring both sets of wheels up onto the platform at the same time which makes the vertical deflection more comfortable for vehicle occupants.

Approach ramp gradient

At least 1:15 for 30km/h platform speed, steeper ramps are more effective in slowing vehicle speeds.

Ramp grade should be designed to achieve the required Safe System impact speed prior to entering the conflict point.

Departure ramp gradient

Maximum 1:35

Where the platform is located on an undivided road, the departure ramp gradient will be the same as the approach ramp gradient.

Ramp markings

The ramp face visible to approaching drivers should be marked with hump ramp markings.

Further information can be found in the TCD Manual Part 5

Surfacing / colour

The platform surface should be clearly distinguishable from the footpath and ideally the same material as the road.

Also refer to guidance on coloured surfacing.

Coloured surfacing principles best practice guidance note [PDF, 2 MB]

Tactile indicators

Warning indicators are required and directional indicators may be necessary.

Further information is provided in
PNG: Designing for blind and low vision people (external link)

Signage

W14-4 Hump warning sign as per (external link)W14-4 Hump warning sign as per TCD Manual Part 5

 

 

Lighting

In accordance with AS/NZS 1158.3.1: 2020

Further information can be found in(external link)
PNG: Street lighting

A typical layout of a pedestrian platform across a side road, with a refuge island, including the appropriate signs and markings arrangement is shown in Figure 13-1 of the TCD Manual Part 4 (draft for consultation) [PDF, 35 MB]

Raised intersections

A raised platform can be applied to an entire intersection. This is also known as a raised intersection. Raised intersections can slow vehicle speeds and increase driver awareness of the intersection (eg. through different surfacing) however they do not provide priority to pedestrians and are therefore not suitable for some pedestrians or in some contexts. Higher traffic flows can make it difficult for pedestrians to find a suitable gap in traffic in which to cross. In these situations, the inclusion of pedestrian refuges in addition to the raised intersection is recommended as shown in the second figure below.

Recommended layout for low traffic volumes on major road. (Source: Ward et al 2020)

Recommended layout for medium to high traffic volumes on major road. (Source: Ward et al 2020)

The signs and markings for raised uncontrolled or priority controlled intersections are provided in Section 13.4 of the TCD Manual Part 4 which also includes a typical layout in Figure 13-2. Note this layout does not show the pedestrian crossing aids such as tactile indicators that should be provided if the intersection is located in an urban area where pedestrians are expected. Depending on the context and pedestrian demand there also may be a need for other crossing aids such as pedestrian refuges and kerb extensions to be provided at the raised intersection.

TCD Manual Part 4 (draft for consultation) 

Zebra crossings

Zebra crossings may be provided near uncontrolled and priority controlled intersections to assist pedestrians to cross. These can be particularly useful where pedestrian volumes are higher, for example in town and activity centres. It is recommended these are raised zebra crossings or they are placed on a raised intersection to ensure the vehicle speeds are low (<30km/h) which ensures they are Safe System aligned.

A zebra crossing close to an intersection means a driver may be focusing on the intersection rather than the crossing. Therefore, it is important to ensure that visibility to and through the intersection for drivers and pedestrians is adequate. In addition, slower vehicle speeds give drivers more time to react and safely stop to avoid a collision.

Zebra crossings at a raised priority intersection, Tauranga. (Photo: Matthew Noon)
Note: small paving blocks may make detecting the tactile paving more difficult for people who are blind or have low vision.

The guidance on when to use a zebra crossing and the location considerations in the Crossings section are also applicable for those near intersections.

PNG: Zebra crossings

Also, Section 4.10 of the TCD Manual Part 4 lists some matters that should be considered regarding the placement of zebra crossings near intersections and the traffic control device requirements.

TCD Manual Part 4 (draft for consultation) [PDF, 35 MB]

Reference

Ward, J, Dance, G, and Kumar, R (2020). Making raised intersections work for walking(external link), Transportation Group conference

[1] Corben, B. (2020). Integrating Safe System with Movement and Place for Vulnerable Road Users, AP-R611-20, p19