Consumer adoption of mobile devices has skyrocketed, changing the way people behave in many environments, including on city streets. Much of the emphasis of governments, advocacy organizations, researchers and technologists concerned with the safety implications of mobile device use in traffic has rightly focused on the behaviour of drivers, and, in particular, the dangers of texting while driving. Research examining texting while driving is bountiful and the findings unequivocally demonstrate hazards. More recently, there is also a growing body of research and evidence that supports the claim that pedestrians may be increasing traffic safety risks by walking in traffic while focused on their smart phone. This paper provides software and mobile device developers with an overview of recent applications of mobile technologies addressing traffic safety. It also spotlights potential solutions mobile technologies can contribute to improving safety conditions on New York City streets. This paper outlines the impact of vehicle-pedestrian crashes, provides a synopsis of the city’s approach to traffic safety, examines research on hazards of mobile device use by distracted pedestrians, and reviews technologies leveraging smart phones and wireless networks that aim to empower pedestrians and reduce driver distraction. The research team approached smart phone use and traffic safety from a technological perspective: How might mobile technologies make pedestrians in urban areas safer, especially to mitigate smart phone distraction and to increase pedestrians’ environmental connectedness and what opportunities exist for technological solutions to complement the efforts of governments, advocacy organizations and businesses to reduce injuries and deaths. (Author/publisher)
Abstract