At what walking speed should the flashing green period of traffic lights be based?

The appropriate walking speed for the flashing green period of traffic lights is set based on pedestrian behavior and safety. A walking speed of 0.9 m/s is widely accepted as an average speed for adults in an urban environment. This speed accommodates a range of pedestrians, including those who may walk slower due to age or mobility conditions while still ensuring that the timing allows for a reasonable chance to cross safely.

Using this walking speed as a benchmark helps in coordinating the timing of pedestrian signals to ensure effective traffic flow and pedestrian safety. This standard is often utilized in traffic studies and urban planning to optimize signal durations for both vehicles and pedestrians. Other speeds, while they may be theoretically viable, do not reflect the average experience of most pedestrians in real-world situations, which is why they are less commonly adopted.