In Task 1, the authors analyzed pedestrian crash data for parking lots in West Central Florida, finding: 1) Seasonal variation in crash frequency in parking lots with higher frequencies in winter and spring, likely associated with tourist influxes to Florida; 2) Variation in crash frequency during daytime hours with peaks from noon to 6 pm; 3) Greater crash risk (per 1000 population) for all crashes and serious crashes for younger (age 15-19) and older (age 75+) pedestrians, as well as for younger (age 20-24) and older (age 65+) drivers; 4) Greater crash frequencies in smaller than larger parking lots and in residential parking lots; 5) No significant variation in crash frequency by parking space angle or by presence of crosswalks; and 6) Greater frequency of back out crashes for older pedestrians (age 75+) and forward driving crashes for younger (age 14 and below) pedestrians. In Task 2, an observational study of pedestrian behavior in parking lots, the authors found: 1) Greater use of crosswalks by all age groups (young, middle, old) in larger parking lots, though no significant age variation occurred in using crosswalks; 2) No significant age variation was seen in lateral distance to parked cars when pedestrians were navigating; and 3) Greater distracted walking by younger than older pedestrians. In Task 3, a field experiment requiring middle-aged and older pedestrians to navigate through an open parking lot and a parking garage wearing eye-tracking equipment, the authors found: 1) Age differences in walking speeds when navigating parking lots with older pedestrians, aged 65 and older, walking about 0.6 feet/s slower than middle-aged adults, aged 50 to 64; and 2) No significant age differences in attention patterns when navigating parking lots, as indicated by scanning behavior (e.g., head turns, eye fixation patterns) or in response to a backing out threat (fixation response time, walking path deviation). The authors conclude that the most likely reason for the differential crash types in parking lots for older compared to younger pedestrians probably lies in the reduced speed with which older pedestrians can react to hazardous events. Potential countermeasures to improve safety could include age-targeted educational campaigns and development and deployment of collision-avoidance technology. We also recommend that future work focus on developing new ways to assess pedestrian crash exposure in parking lots that take into account walking speed and distance from parking spa seto store fronts. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting