Work Details

MD 500, Queens Chapel Road, is a four-lane divided highway with a center grass median. The study corridor between the DC Line and MD 208 experiences a significantly higher crash rate than the statewide average, and the 2015 Average Daily Traffic (ADT) in this area was recorded at 22,250 vehicles per day. A pedestrian intersection control beacon (ICB) was installed along MD 500 at the Anacostia Tributary Trail System south of Jamestown Road in Prince George's County to facilitate pedestrian movements across MD 500 while providing safe and secure pedestrian access to the Anacostia Tributary Trail System.

Itenology Corporation provided assistance with the crash analysis for this location. Crash data was compared over a period of three years both prior to and after the installation of the ICB to determine if the ICB had any impact on the frequency, type, or severity of these crashes. Itenology Corporation performed a field review and sought on-site opinions from the pedestrians to obtain the users' point of view. Although a 42% decline in crashes was observed, the number of pedestrian related crashes increased. It was concluded from the analysis that there was no viable correlation between the ICB and the number or type of crashes or the severity. From the standpoint of safety and based on the reconnaissance conducted in the field, it was recommended that the hardware and signage be upgraded to increase visibility for pedestrians and bikers as well as motorists.

Note: The above image does not represent actual data and is shown only as an example.