Are older pedestrians allowed enough time to cross intersections safely?

Area of Science:

• Urban planning
• Gerontology
• Public health

Background:

• Busy urban intersections pose risks to pedestrians, particularly older adults with reduced mobility.
• Assessing pedestrian traffic flow and identifying at-risk populations is crucial for urban safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze pedestrian traffic flow at a major urban intersection.
• To quantify the proportion of older pedestrians at risk due to insufficient crossing times.

Main Methods:

• An observational study was conducted at the intersection of Third Street and Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles.
• Pedestrian crossing times were measured for 1229 individuals, with detailed gait speed analysis for 100 younger and 100 older pedestrians.
• Questionnaires assessed the experiences of pedestrians unable to cross in time.

Main Results:

• 27% of older pedestrians could not cross the intersection before the signal changed, with some stranded in traffic lanes.
• Older pedestrians walked significantly slower (0.86 m/s) than younger pedestrians (1.27 m/s).
• Older pedestrians unable to cross in time reported the intersection as dangerous and frequently used it.

Conclusions:

• Current pedestrian signal timing at this intersection is inadequate for many older adults, creating safety hazards.
• Increasing crossing time may reduce pedestrian injuries and enhance older adults' independence and confidence.