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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Using a Virtual Reality Walking Simulator to Investigate Pedestrian Behavior
Published on: June 9, 2020
Effects of Peers on Child Pedestrian Behaviors in a Virtual Traffic Context
Barbara A Morrongiello1, Michael Corbett1, Stephanie Koutsoulianos1
1Department of Psychology, University of Guelph.
Objectives:
Research shows that school-aged children are at high risk of pedestrian injury when they cross streets with peers. How peers exert their influence is unknown. Using a fully immersive virtual reality pedestrian environment, this study examined the impact of peers on children's pedestrian behaviors.
Methods:
137 children were assigned either to a control, peer observer, or peer-safety or peer-risky modeling condition. Street-crossing behaviors were measured twice (baseline, postbaseline), with group comparisons (control vs. test condition) of postbaseline scores conducted.
Results:
Children who observed a peer modeling risky behaviors imitated this. No significant influences were found in the peer observation or safe modeling conditions.
Conclusions:
Peers may elevate other children's risk of pedestrian injury through modeling risky crossings. Implications for prevention are discussed.
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