This study was performed by a joint research team from the Stein Gerontological Institute, a unit of the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged, and the Lehman Centre for Transportation Research at Florida International University. The main objective of this study was to identify the characteristics of five typical intersections as well as characteristics of the pedestrians that explained threats to their safety at urban intersections. The methodology used in performing the analysis consisted of a survey of pedestrians at the intersections mentioned as well as filming of pedestrian vehicle interactions at these sites. All data collection activities were conducted during offpeak periods. One hundred and seventy-eight pedestrians (66 young, 55 middle-aged, and 60 old) were surveyed, and approximately twenty hours of filming conducted (about four hours per intersection). The results show that there were a substantive number of pedestrian-vehicle conflicts and in the majority of these conflicts the pedestrians were at fault. Additionally the research uncovered the fact that pedestrians, no matter their age, found the amount of time available for them to cross the street, too short. The results of this study highlight the need for countermeasures that include engineering design considerations, traffic management, educational campaigns for drivers and pedestrians, and enforcement. (Author/publisher)
Abstract