# Pedestrian Behavior Interacting with Autonomous Vehicles: Role of AV Operation and Signal Indication and Roadway Infrastructure

**Authors:** Fengjiao Zou, Jennifer Ogle, Weimin Jin, Patrick Gerard, Daniel Petty, Andrew Robb  
**arXiv:** [2303.15352](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.15352)  
**Date:** 2023-03-27  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/arxiv-id/2303.15352v1/

## Key points

- Interaction between autonomous vehicles (AVs) and pedestrians is a complex challenge
- Study conducted using virtual reality simulations to understand how AV operations, signal indications, and roadway infrastructure affect pedestrian behavior
- AV signal significantly impacted pedestrians' accepted gap, walking time, and waiting time
- Pedestrians tended to choose the largest open gap between cars when the AV showed no signal
- When the AV displayed a yellow signal indication, pedestrians had slower crossing speeds
- Roadway infrastructure also played a role in affecting pedestrian behavior by influencing their walking time and waiting time
- Importance of considering various factors when designing AVs for safe interaction with pedestrians
- Understanding how AV operations and signals impact pedestrian behavior can help create more effective systems that prioritize safety for all road users.

## Summary

The interaction between autonomous vehicles (AVs) and pedestrians is a complex challenge that requires careful consideration of AV operations, signal indications, and roadway infrastructure. To better understand how these factors affect pedestrian behavior, a study was conducted using virtual reality simulations. The AVs in the simulations were designed with different operations and signal indications, including negotiating with no signal, negotiating with a yellow signal, and yellow/blue negotiating/no-yield indications. The results of the study showed that the AV signal significantly impacted pedestrians' accepted gap, walking time, and waiting time. Pedestrians tended to choose the largest open gap between cars when the AV showed no signal. However, when the AV displayed a yellow signal indication, pedestrians had slower crossing speeds. Roadway infrastructure also played a role in affecting pedestrian behavior by influencing their walking time and waiting time. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering various factors when designing AVs for safe interaction with pedestrians. By understanding how AV operations and signals impact pedestrian behavior in different scenarios, designers can create more effective systems that prioritize safety for all road users.