THE SAFETY OF OLDER PEDESTRIANS AT SIGNAL-CONTROLLED CROSSINGS

The extent to which pedestrians checked for oncoming traffic before crossing signal-controlled intersections on busy city streets was observed. Contrary to the portrayal of older pedestrians as being less aware of the traffic environment, pedestrians over the age of fifty were the most cautious, especially under dangerous traffic conditions. Older pedestrians were least likely to use other pedestrians as "guides" to safety and, instead, checked for oncoming traffic themselves before crossing. There was an overall tendency for pedestrians to check for oncoming traffic, the fewer the number of other pedestrians crossing the intersection. "Diffusion of responsibility" and "safety in numbers" explanations were offered to account for this. Wide intersections elicited more traffic checking than narrow intersections only if traffic conditions were hazardous.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00914150
• Corporate Authors:

  Baywood Publishing Company

  26 Austin Avenue, P.O. Box 337
  Amityville, NY  United States  11701
• Authors:
  • Harrell, W A
• Publication Date: 1996

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 65-79
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Aging and Human Development
  • Volume: 42
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Baywood Publishing Company
  • ISSN: 0091-4150

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrian traffic; Signalized intersections; Traffic; Traffic safety; Width
• Uncontrolled Terms: Oncoming traffic
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00767425
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 22 1999 12:00AM