Distracted pedestrians – what are the numbers?
Williamson & Lennon (2015) asked 211 pedestrians in Brisbane to self-report their smart phone use while crossing the road. The 18-30 year olds (56% of the sample) reported particularly high levels of mobile phone use; 32% texted and 27% used internet while on the roadway. This data was self-reported, so actual use may have been quite different, but the study clearly shows that many people were aware of their regular use of distractions while crossing roads.
Also, a 2007 study in three Sydney suburbs found that 33% of 546 people crossing the road were on the phone; 27% were talking and 6% were texting (Hatfield & Murphy, 2007).
Some people just ask; how do we stop people texting and walking? Instead, we ask; what does this mean for our infrastructure design?
– Lower speeds
– highlighted crossing points
– crossing points on pedestrian desire lines
– adaptive and intelligent traffic signals
– tactile feedback for pedestrians
– clear sight lines and good lighting so drivers can see pedestrians
– raised crossing points.
What are your ideas?
Source: Inside Edition & TfNSW