Enhanced junction designs “make it clear to drivers that they need to give way”
See all news![A side road junction in London](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/side-road-junctions-850x500.jpg?la=en&h=498&w=847&mw=847&hash=3A4E54053DCFFDDF2C6D7247677499F8)
A recently completed research project has identified two side road crossing designs that encourage drivers to give way to people crossing and waiting to cross – as required by the Highway Code since January 2022.
The project was carried out by academics at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), with funding provided by The Road Safety Trust.
The researchers set out to understand the impacts of enhanced side road designs that both increase priority and reduce risk for people walking and cycling. It is particularly significant because of changes to the Highway Code that came into effect from 29 January 2022.
These changes mean drivers turning in or out of a side road should now give way not only to pedestrians and cyclists who are crossing, but also to waiting pedestrians and approaching cyclists.
The research team from UWE Bristol’s Centre for Transport and Society, observed behaviour at different types of side road crossing and revealed two designs where drivers were more likely to give way:
- Marked Priority crossings with so-called ‘parallel crossings’ that have a zebra for pedestrians and priority markings for the cycle track crossing.
- Design Priority crossings, also called continuous footways, where priority is reinforced by the layout and surface materials.
With both of these enhancements, people crossing did not have to yield to drivers in approximately 90% of interactions compared with 43% of interactions at conventional junctions.
The researchers found that users realise the importance of Marked Priority and Design Priority enhancements being implemented consistently and appropriately across the country in order to minimise ambiguity and confusion.
The project was led by John Parkin, professor of transport engineering and deputy director of the Centre for Transport and Society at UWE Bristol.
Professor Parkin said: “Many side road junctions are designed mainly with movement for vehicles on the carriageway in mind, and they have generous corner radii and wide carriageways. The key point is that priority for people crossing, as required by the Highway Code, is not clear from the design.
“The project explored the use of priority markings that make it clear to drivers that they need to give way to pedestrians and cyclists who are crossing a side road. These are give way markings placed before the pedestrian and/or cycle track crossing, and sometimes also a zebra crossing for pedestrians.
“The findings have been compared with previous research on priority that has been enhanced by the design having a raised footway and/or cycle track that is continuous across the side road.
“On nearly half of occasions at conventional junctions, people crossing yielded voluntarily to turning drivers. The effect of enhanced junctions was to reduce this proportion and created more occasions when drivers gave way to people crossing. Both Marked Priority designs with a zebra, and Design Priority designs (continuous footways) increased the proportion of times people did not yield to vehicles from around 50% at control sites to around 90%.”
Sonya Hurt, chief executive of The Road Safety Trust, said: “When it comes to encouraging more people to walk and cycle, safety is paramount.
“We are delighted with the outcomes from this project, including recommendations for side road crossing designs most likely to encourage drivers to give way, thereby reducing risk for those travelling by foot or on bike.”
To find out more about the project, visit The Road Safety Trust website.
Related news
![Someone holds the world in their hands in a pool of water](/-/media/uwe/images/news/climate-theatre-project-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=671411EFE5D11C702F789A85526F61DF)
26 June 2024
Water security and climate action to be explored through theatre with communities
UWE Bristol will support an international research project that will embed theatre practice to work with less heard communities who face water insecurity.
![A photo of a sign which says general election 2024 with Big Ben in the background](/-/media/uwe/images/news/general-election-adobestock-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=32EF3AB7949BAEE17613D57B04C55384)
17 June 2024
Opinion: Stats, leaflets, and claims - how to navigate the political battlefield
As political leaflets begin to clog the letterboxes of homes across the UK, how can you discern the truth amidst the claims made by the political parties?
![Members of the Centre for Appearance Research standing for a group photo, with balloons in the background](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/car-anniversary-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=DB550ACB3604EBA25099B9C3D3944EDC)
24 May 2024
Impact of world-leading Centre for Appearance Research celebrated on 30th anniversary
It has grown from two researchers and a PhD student to become what is considered the largest research centre in the world focussed on appearance and body image. Now the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) has celebrated its 30th anniversary.
![Centre for Appearance Research logo in front of a backdrop of the city docks in Bristol](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/appearance-matters-banner-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=12AF26A023C1FCD612FF8DC455319B40)
22 May 2024
Psychology researchers set to stage world’s only international conference on appearance and body image
Researchers from UWE Bristol are getting ready to stage the world’s only international conference focused on issues around appearance and body image.
![A photographer using an old-fashioned camera to take an photo of Stonehenge, with a backdrop of a blue sky](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/stonehenge-photography-main-image-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=82D3AA342D3552BF0055E5180A7BFE8E)
22 May 2024
Academic retraces footsteps of Victorian photography pioneer behind Led Zeppelin album cover
A UWE Bristol researcher has used old-fashioned photography methods to recreate images by a Victorian photographer noted for taking an iconic photo that became a Led Zeppelin album cover.
![A choir, dressed in black, singing](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/sing-for-happiness-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=93348AAAB0FE92C6F3A08BF25933D518)
22 May 2024
Singers brought together by happiness research to take to the stage
The event is the grand finale of ground-breaking research by UWE Bristol and St George's Bristol exploring the links between singing and wellbeing.
![A sign with branding of the Future Space lab at UWE's Frenchay campus](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/future-space-expansion-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=EA4ACD0587C4C09E99C8DB97E1D4F4F4)
21 May 2024
Growth for tech innovation in Bristol as Future Space expands
UWE Bristol’s award-winning innovation centre, Future Space, has opened its doors to 10,000 square feet of brand-new office and laboratory facilities.
![A mother lies on a bed alongside her young baby](/-/media/uwe/images/news/motherhood-pandemic-adobestock-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=A5D13C5B88DEC68412A7FE9B32A3D1BD)
01 May 2024
The hidden work of new mothers exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic
New research has uncovered how the pandemic intensified and exposed the immense layers of unpaid work by mothers during maternity leave.
![Female with long fair hair with her back to camera holding a small brown dog in her arms, with the dog facing the camera over her shoulder](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/dog-theft-research-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=6B48D7A7D4C02FE382B0A4E65E6B75E4)
26 April 2024
Study reveals emotional turmoil experienced after dog theft is like that of a caregiver losing a child
A new study led by a UWE Bristol researcher has revealed that emotional turmoil experienced by dog owners after their pet has been stolen is like/ akin to that of losing a loved one such as a caregiver losing their child.
![A billboard in St Werbughs in Bristol shows children's illustrations and the words if racism vanished for day I'd wear my hair like this](/-/media/uwe/images/news/billboard-racism-vanished-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=AEF138B778B4ABA3532A6C5D2630EE94)
26 April 2024
New billboard to encourage conversations about what life might be like without racism
The billboard displays an illustration from the book ‘If Racism Vanished for a Day’, which explores the impact of racism on children's wellbeing.
![A female researcher dressed in protective clothing and safety goggles holding a pipette in a science laboratory](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/research-concordat-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=C75E382A18894215622DD829F01C0DEC)
25 April 2024
UWE Bristol among first organisations to sign agreement to reduce environmental impacts of conducting research
UWE Bristol is among the first organisations to commit to a new national voluntary agreement to progressively embed environmental sustainability into all research and innovation practices.
![Representatives from UWE Bristol join Woodland Heritage and Forest Research with PhD student Alice Dibley](/-/media/uwe/images/news/woodland-heritage-phd-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=45F19ADF3D96E7D660DDA620AEB3F667)
15 March 2024
UWE Bristol announces partnership PhD with Woodland Heritage
A Partnership PhD will research the effects of management practices on Acute Oak Decline and the rhizosphere microbiome of parkland oak trees.
You may also be interested in
![Lecturer with students](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-experts-findanexpert-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=F991F840D7340AF990327391B1A7F10E)
Find an expert
Media contacts are invited to check out the vast range of subjects where UWE Bristol can offer up expert commentary.
![Media enquiries](/-/media/uwe/images/news/media-enquiries-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=DEC2ADF76427D486E3F096155E2569C0)
Media enquiries
Enquiries related to news releases and press and contacts for the media team.
![View of Bristol Cathedral with pedestrians and a First bus on the UWE Frenchay route in the foreground. There are trees and a bike park.](/-/media/uwe/images/research/centr-cts-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=B47FE0F7F55BC25039DED224DE57C248)
Centre for Transport and Society (CTS)
More information about the Centre for Transport and Society, including research projects, transport courses, news, events and opportunities.
![A human hand connecting with a robot in a laboratory.](/-/media/uwe/images/research/showcase/research-showcase-connection-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=E4E449FD2A4487531AF97BDE496ED0F9)
Breaking research boundaries
We’re tackling the big issues of today and tomorrow head on. This is big, brave thinking for a better future. It’s research done well. Research with the power to transform lives, transform the future.