JUSTIFICATION OF THE NEED TO INTRODUCE DIAGONAL PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF KHARKIV

Abstract

Introduction. Improving urban mobility is important for the quality of life and the environment of cities. Developing public transport, bicycle paths, and pedestrian areas reduces congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. The organization of pedestrian traffic increases the safety and comfort of movement. Modern solutions include diagonal pedestrian crossings (DPC), which allow people to cross intersections in either direction. They reduce traffic delays and the risk of accidents, making them a popular choice in modern cities. Purpose. This article focuses on the rationale and preliminary assessment of the feasibility of implementing DPC. The absence of such solutions inconveniences pedestrians and increases the risk of accidents at intersections with heavy traffic. The study is based on the analysis of successful international experiences due to local infrastructure limitations. Results. Studies of DPC demonstrate their effectiveness in improving pedestrian safety and reducing conflicts with vehicles. There are examples of successful implementation in many cities around the world. In Ukraine, such crossings have not appeared in all cities, although international experience proves the importance of applying technological solutions to optimize traffic flows and pedestrian safety. The study analyses the possibility of introducing a DPC, using the example of the intersection of Evropeiska – Patriarch Mstyslav – Ostap Vyshnia streets in Poltava. The criteria for its implementation are defined, it is proposed to consider two schemes of crossing the carriageway by pedestrians, traffic modeling is carried out, and the effectiveness of changes in terms of delays, safety, and environmental impact is assessed. Conclusions. The modeling and analysis results of the functioning of the studied intersection indicate the effectiveness of DPC implementation. An average reduction of vehicle and pedestrian delays, fuel consumption, and congestion length by about 10% was found. This confirms the rationality of implementing DPC to optimize intersection capacity and reduce transport costs. Given the high level of traffic in Kharkiv, DPC is a promising solution for improving pedestrian safety and traffic management.