Uncertainty Prediction Challenge
Welcome to our Challenge! The purpose of this page is to help you realize that it is not possible to predict whether or not you can hear the traffic well enough to be sure that it's clear to cross whenever it is quiet.

These pictures show real situations which have been analyzed by people listening for approaching traffic. In fact, some of them are the sites of extensive research, others are crossings which I analyzed with my clients. The streets are all two-way streets, and the photos each show a stick figure representing a pedestrian wanting to cross. Although the pedestrian needs to listen for traffic from both directions, we will consider the traffic approaching from only one direction at a time (that is the direction which is described and shown in the picture).



PHOTO #1:
(NE corner): Crossing 3 lanes. Listening for traffic from the figure/person's left (from the east). Speed limit: 55 mph

The figure/person on the corner faces a 3-lane residential highway with woods on both sides. To the person's left (east) the street is straight and visible for about a block.




PHOTO #1:
   YES
   NO




PHOTO #2:
(NE corner): Crossing 3 lanes. Listening for traffic from the figure/person's right (from the west). Speed limit: 55 mph

The figure/person on the corner faces a 3-lane residential highway with thick woods on both sides. About a half block to the right of the figure (west) the street makes a sharp turn to the right and disappears behind the trees.


PHOTO #2:
   YES
   NO




PHOTO #3:
(SE corner): Listening for traffic from the figure/person's right (from the east) -- a vehicle is visible coming around a sharp left bend in the road. Speed limit: 25 mph

The figure/person on the corner faces a two-lane residential street. To the right of the figure (east) the street is straight only for about half a block and then it turns sharply to the left and is no longer visible. A van appears as it comes around the bend.




PHOTO #3:
   YES
   NO




PHOTO #4:
(SE corner): Listening for traffic from the figure/person's left (from the west). Speed limit: 25 mph

The figure/person on the corner faces a two-lane residential street. To the left of the figure (west) the street is lined with tall trees and gently curves to the left, where it disappears about a block away.




PHOTO #4:
   YES
   NO




PHOTO #5:
(SW corner): Listening for traffic from the figure/person's right (from the east). The street slopes gently down to the bend in the road, then slopes gently back up again. Speed limit: 30 mph

The figure/person on the corner faces a two-lane street. To the right of the figure (east) the street is straight and goes slightly downhill for about 50 feet and then curves to the left and is visible going straight uphill for another half block.




PHOTO #5:
   YES
   NO




PHOTO #6:
(NE corner, first condition): Listening for traffic from the figure/person's right (from the north). Speed limit: 35 mph

The figure/person on the corner faces a street with two moving lanes plus enough room for cars to park on both sides. To the right of the figure (north) the street is straight for about a block. There are no cars parked in the street.




PHOTO #6:
   YES
   NO





PHOTO #7:

(NE corner, second condition): Listening for traffic from the figure/person's right (from the north). Speed limit: 35 mph

The figure/person on the corner faces a street with two moving lanes plus enough room for cars to park on both sides. To the right of the figure (north) the street is straight for about a block, and has a minivan and other vehicles parked along the street, close to the corner.


PHOTO #7:
   YES
   NO


You're DONE with the Challenge! Now you can return to Situations of Uncertainty for Gap Judgment

Return to Self-Study Guide: Preparing Visually Impaired Students to Assess and Cross Streets with No Traffic Control
Return to home page