This paper presents the findings of a follow up study conducted to investigate the walking speed of older pedestrians who use walkers or canes for mobility. The paper presents the results of research conducted to understand the differences between normal and crossing walking speed of older pedestrians using walkers or canes for mobility at signalized intersections. It also compares this walking speed to that of older pedestrians who ambulate without assistive devices. For the purposes of this paper, normal walking speed is the speed at which pedestrians walk without needing to cross any intersection; and crossing walking speed is that at which pedestrians walk when crossing a signalized intersection. The research found that in all cases the normal is lower than the crossing walking speed for older pedestrians, with or without assistive devices. There are also no seasonal differences in the normal walking speed of older pedestrians using walkers or canes. However, the crossing walking speed is higher in winter than in summer. Regarding gender issues, older males walk faster than older females when assistive devices are not used. However, there are no gender differences in walking speed when pedestrians use walkers or canes for mobility. Although this research shows that using the current walking speed assumption of 1.2 m/s (4.0 ft/s), as recommended in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, almost all older pedestrians needing walkers or canes for mobility would be excluded in the design process, it also shows other information that would be valuable for improved urban planning, transit operations, and other transportation engineering applications.
Abstract