Document Type
Conference Paper
Publication Date
2010
Subject Area
Infrastructure - Kerb ramp, Infrastructure - Roads, Location - UK, Mobility - Independence, Mobility - Motorised scooter, Mobility - Scooters, Mobility - Accessible footpaths
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation is to assist in the design of crossings and intersections when considering users of mobility scooters, other pedestrians and vehicular traffic. The approach first outlines the dimensional and operating characteristics of typical mobility scooters, current legislation affecting their use on footways and carriageways and physical impairment characteristics of people who use scooters to improve their mobility in the public realm. This provides a basis for addressing the sequential set of actions needed to ensure a safe crossing based on a selected, representative model of mobility scooter. The actions include: manoeuvring at and near the crossing; positioning prior to starting to cross; the bodily and eye movements necessary before making a decision to cross and how these relate to the scooter’s design and intersection configuration; the observation-reaction time of the user; position related to the kerb; and intervisibility with approaching vehicular traffic. Then, the time taken during entry to and crossing of the carriageway and gaining the opposite footway, plus a safety margin, are considered. The results of observations at an unsignalled crossing, based upon video data analysis, provide an indication of the values which can be used to guide key aspects of the geometric design of crossings or intersection. The results of the investigation, focusing on a selected illustrative and representative model of scooter, are assembled. This assists in formulating graphical and numerical information intended to inform practitioners and researchers about the characteristics which enable intervisibility distances and related variables to be determined and, hence, details of the geometric design and signal time to be established. The conclusions summarise the results of the investigation and briefly describe relevant areas of further research.
Rights
Permission to publish the abstract has been given by TRANSED 2010, copyright remains with them.
Recommended Citation
Schoon, J.G. (2010). Mobility scooter and user characteristics at crossings and intersections. Paper delivered at The 12th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED), held in Hong Kong on 2-4 June, 2010.
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