Overview
Pedestrian traffic plays an important role in the transport system. This applies both to small towns and villages where there is no public transport developed
and the downtown areas in large cities, where short trips are a very common
way of movement in urban space. Pedestrian traffic accompanies an everyday life of many residents, particularly of groups such as children, pupils and students, elderly and people without a car.
Walking is conducive to the health, reduces the share of vehicles in traffic, which is beneficial for the environment and helps to reduce congestions, particularly in the areas of large cities. It should also be noted that in many cases, people who travel by public transport or cars must overcome additional distance by walking to reach car parks and bus stops.
Pedestrians are therefore important road users, often undervalued by motorists, but very important in traffic.
The main aim of this work was to develop a methodology for a systematic study of behaviour of pedestrians and the relationship pedestrians - drivers. The survey concentrated, among others, on the implementation of relevant activities to increase the attractiveness of pedestrian traffic and improve pedestrian safety in traffic.
Stage I - Guidelines for the methodology together with pilot studies, including:
- - identification and definition of the parameters of pedestrian traffic,
- - analysis of the safety of pedestrian traffic in Poland,
- - recognition and execution of systematic analysis and other behavioural studies of pedestrians and the relationship pedestrians - drivers in other countries,
- - development of the concept and preliminary plans for the systematic methodological nationwide research,
- - carry out pilot studies in two provinces - Pomeranian and Malopolska
- - performance of graphic report - containing descriptive analysis of test results
- - implementation of collective statements for pilot studies.
Stage II - Methodology for systematic behavioural research of pedestrians and relations pedestrians - drivers, comprising:
- additional supporting studies among other things, the use of reflective elements
in dark times
- verification of methodological assumptions adopted in the Phase I, taking into account full results of the pilot studies
- development of a methodology for a systematic study of behaviour of pedestrians and relationships pedestrians - drivers,
- presentation of the results before finalising the study.
Funding
Results
A feature of societies thriving economically is to extend the life of citizens. This translates into increase of the group of people over the age of 65 years using transport.
Pedestrians in this age group are the largest percentage of victims injured (about 15% of all injuries) and victims of fatalities (cca 23-25% of all deaths).
Pedestrians as the perpetrators of road accidents usually commit errors related to:
- entering in front of a moving vehicle (58% of accidents, 50% of fatalities)
- entrance to the road behind the vehicle (10%),
- crossing the road in a prohibited place (11%),
- crossing the road at a red light,
- being invisible on the road (no reflective elements in conditions of limited visibility).
Policy objectives
This methodology and pilot survey create a base for further surveys in the field of pedestrian traffic. The collected data sets a base for implementation of measures improving the safety of pedestrians in traffic.