Title

Safe mobility for older and disabled pedestrians

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

2007

Subject Area

Location - Europe, Modes of Transport - Pedestrian, Population - Elderly

Abstract

To remain independent, older people need mobility to reach the activities and services that they require. For short trips, walking can offer the same spontaneous ability to travel that is provided by the car. Walking is also necessary to reach bus stops and transit stations, to make use of accessible public transport services. In Europe, despite rising levels of car ownership and use, walking remains a significant means of mobility and typically accounts for over a quarter of all trips. "Assisted walking", using mobility aids such as powered wheelchairs and scooters on sidewalks, is increasing. Provided the local environment is suitable, in good weather these provide a realistic alternative to driving for local trips. Some problems for pedestrians, such as hills, narrow or uneven sidewalks, and crossing roads, affect everyone, though people with disabilities are most affected. Other problems, such as crowds, kerbs and steps, affect mainly people with more severe impairments. Guidelines are available on the design of pedestrian infrastructure that is suitable for older people and people with disabilities. Crossing roads is one of the major deterrents to older pedestrians. The risk of fatality increases noticeably with age above 50 years. Much of the increased risk of fatality for older pedestrians is because of the greater fragility of older persons. The percentage of injured pedestrians who die rises from about 2% in middle age to over 9% for persons aged over 80. Older and disabled pedestrians benefit from policies that reduce traffic volumes and traffic speeds. They also require direct pedestrian routes built to proven standards and kept clear of parked motor vehicles and other obstructions. There are many ways that the safety of road crossings can be improved. Policies and provision for pedestrians in urban areas should include * Provide sidewalks where they do not exist; * Use pedestrianisation or pedestrian priority to reduce traffic flows in town centres and residential areas; * Use traffic calming and speed limit enforcement to reduce traffic speed; * Use bollards to protect sidewalks from parked vehicles; * Build out sidewalks at pedestrian crossings to reduce distance across the road; * Use speed tables at pedestrian crossings, side road junctions and across slip lanes at major junctions to reduce traffic speed; * Provide central pedestrian refuges on two-way roads, at side road junctions and at major intersections; * Use people-detectors to extend the pedestrian phase for slow walkers at light-controlled crossings; * Do not allow turns on red at light-controlled intersections. European countries follow policies on independent mobility that generally emphasise the need to provide high-quality pedestrian infrastructure (footways or sidewalks and road crossing facilities), working to proven guidelines.

Rights

Permission to publish given by TRANSED 2007.