The use of electronic devices by pedestrians when crossing the road is a new safety issue in traffic. It causes dangerous situations, resulting in injury or even death. Cell phones have many new and engaging applications to preoccupy users. Making calls, sending a text message, listening to music and surfing the internet have become normal activities. Distraction is increasingly common among pedestrians, raising the risk of accidents. Traffic Safety Lab aims at reducing the number of accidents involving pedestrians distracted by their electronic devices. They suggest developing the “Knipperstrip” (Flashline), which is based on knowledge in the domains of psychology and traffic engineering. It will be placed at crossings, alarming distracted pedestrians by giving tactile and visual cues that directs attention back to the traffic situation. The Dutch Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Milieu (Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment) focuses on protecting vulnerable traffic participants like pedestrians, according to the Strategisch Plan Verkeersveiligheid (Strategic Plan Traffic Safety) 2008-2020.2 Finding the best solution for this new problem of distracted pedestrians will improve the pedestrians’ safety and help realising the Ministry’s plan. In this proposal the authors first introduce Traffic Safety Lab. They describe the current situation regarding pedestrian safety, how the use of electronic devices causes different forms of distraction and the role of human attention. This is followed by an outline of our plan to test for the optimal conditions for the Knipperstrip. Finally, the costs and benefits are being presented. (Author/publisher)
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