Pedestrian crossings are too slow for elderly people, research warns
The time it takes to cross the road as the green man points is often too short for the elderly or those with mobility issues to use it safely, new research says.
The research, conducted by the Universities of Bath, Birmingham and Exeter, analyzed the walking speeds of 1,110 adults aged 65 and over in two large trials in the UK.
They found that the average walking speed was 0.77 m/s; this was well below the 1.2 m/s assumed in most crosswalk designs. This means that it would take the average participant 6.5 seconds to cross a 5-meter path; This is more than two seconds longer than the green pass signal usually allows.
Additionally, only 1.5 percent of older adults with mobility impairments normally walk fast enough at their comfortable pace to cross the road within the time allowed by pedestrian signals.
The study also found that older age, lower strength and balance were associated with slower walking speed. More than half of participants would need to increase their comfortable walking speed by 50 percent or more to safely cross an average road.
Researchers suggest that even small changes, such as extending green signal times by a few seconds, can make a big difference. They recommend that crossing times be adjusted to reflect a more realistic walking speed of 0.7m/s, which will allow more people to cross safely and securely.
They call for the integration of mobility supports by creating age-friendly outdoor spaces such as safe walkways, benches and longer transit times to ensure older adults can move safely and remain active in the community..
The study was led by Doctor Max WesternSenior lecturer at Bath Department of Health. He said: “Current transition times may be unrealistic for many older people who face mobility challenges. This is not just a safety issue; it is potentially a barrier to independence, physical activity and social connection, all of which often decline in later life.”
Professor Afroditi Stathi, from the University of Birmingham, who led two UK studies supporting the findings, said: “Older adults often face challenges staying active and connected, especially when mobility decreases. Designing outdoor spaces that work for everyone, such as allowing enough time to cross the road, can boost confidence, support independence and help them stay engaged in their communities, all of which are key to a better quality of life.”
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “Local authorities set crossing times and our guidance already allows for slower walking speeds to help everyone cross the road safely.
“We encourage local authorities to make the most of technologies such as pedestrian countdown signals and crossing detectors that can automatically extend crossing times when necessary.”
