“Outta my way!” Individual and environmental correlates of interactions between pedestrians and vehicles during street crossings

Because pedestrian crash rates remain lower than other collision types, surrogate measures such as traffic interactions are now used in road safety research to complement crash history. Using naturalistic data collection, the authors sought to assess 1) the likelihood of occurrence of interactions between pedestrians and vehicles based on individual and crossing characteristics; and 2) differences in interaction characteristics between children, adult and senior pedestrians. Observations of pedestrian crossing behaviours (n = 4687) were recorded at 278 crossings. For recorded interactions (n = 843), information was collected to characterize the behaviours of involved parties. A mixed-effect logit regression model was performed to assess the factors associated with interactions. Chi-square tests evaluated differences between age groups and characteristics of observed interactions. Older adults were those more likely to be involved in an interaction event. Bicycle paths, different crossing surface material and one-way streets were significantly associated with fewer interactions with vehicles, while parked vehicles nearby and crossings on arterial roads were significantly associated with more interactions. Children and the elderly (80 years of age or more) did have distinct patterns of interaction, with more careful drivers/cyclists behaviours being observed towards children and lesser regulation compliance towards the elderly. Given the growing emphasis and adoption of active transportation in many cities, the number of interactions between pedestrians and vehicles during street crossings is likely to increase. Educating drivers and pedestrians to respect each other's space requires an understanding of where, between whom, and under what circumstances interactions occur. Such an approach can also help identify which engineering and enforcement programs are needed to ensure safe pedestrian crossings since interactions can be good markers of uncomfortable crossing situations that may deter walking and lead to more collisions.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2017.04.015
• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457517301446
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00014575
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Cloutier, Marie-Soleil
  • Lachapelle, Ugo
  • d’Amours-Ouellet, Andrée-Anne
  • Bergeron, Jacques
  • Lord, Sébastien
  • Torres, Juan
• Publication Date: 2017-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 36-45
• Serial:
  • Accident Analysis & Prevention
  • Volume: 104
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0001-4575
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00014575

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Children; Environment; Human factors in crashes; Pedestrian movement; Pedestrian vehicle interface; Pedestrians; Traffic safety
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01639348
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 13 2017 12:32PM