Elderly pedestrians

Most elderly pedestrian accidents occur in daylight, in fine weather and in familiar surroundings. 

Elderly pedestrians being in a state of uncertainty at traffic signals may result in them following others, going elsewhere to cross and trying to anticipate a break in traffic independently of the appropriate phase to cross. 

Traffic islands would be of particular help to elderly pedestrians, particularly at bus stops and junctions. 

Sometimes the abstract threat of a large common-law claim can be used to good effect. At one dty hospital the OHS officer argued in a letter to management that an inappropriately placed speed hump might cause an elderly pedestrian to fall and suffer permanent injury. He noted that the consequence could be an expensive common-law claim. The hump was removed immediately. There is probably considerable scope for this kind of threat when carefully used. 

Elderly pedestrians crashes. Older people - much more than young adults - walk for the sake of walking and exercising. Thus, for them walking is not only a means to mobility, but also a form of exercise. Fortunately they seem to choose their paths so that they cross fewer roads than younger people (Dunbar et ah, 2004). Yet, as shown above, once they venture out for... 

Sheppard, D. and M. Pattinson (1986). Interviews with elderly pedestrians involved in road crashes. TRRL report RR 98. Transportation Road Research Laboratory, Crowthome, UK. 

Public Speakers, Singers, and Actors have found wine of coca to be a valuable tonic to the vocal cords. Athletes, Pedestrians, and Base Ball Players have found by practical experience that a steady course of coca taken both before and after any trial of strength or endurance will impart energy to every movement, and prevent fatigue. Elderly people have found it a reliable aphrodisiac superior to any other drug. (Siegel, 1985, p. 206)... 

The lack of detailed and quality exposure data is a challenging issue and therefore, international comparisons are often conducted on the basis of a per-capita population or per-vehicle. There is a need for detailed exposure information on a specific population (e.g. children or elderly road users), non-motoiised modes (e.g. cyclists and pedestrians), motorcycles, and driver information. This information is often less known and available in many developing countries than in highly developed countries. The classifications of roads also differ in their standards from one country to another (e.g. national/regional/motorways). There is a need for special counts of traffic volume by type of vehicle and type of roads. 

Recently, an interesting article was published under the leadership of Dr. Yubo Fan (Wang et al. 2011). The title is very suggestive Why do woodpeckers resist head impact injury A biomechanical investigation. As mentioned in the article, head injuries are a common cause of death and disability around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Craitrol and Prevention, the five most common causes of head injury or TBI (traumatic brain injury) are car accidents (passenger and pedestrian), bicycle/motorcycle accidents, falls (especially children and the elderly), sports, and acts of violence/assault. 

Road Safety Audit considers the safety of all road users and in particular vulnerable road users such as the visually and mobility impaired, cyclists, pedestrians, equestrians, motorcyclists, children and the elderly. 

From the way of life we had in the old city of Leuven came the will not to build a campus but to develop a new city, a real city in which academic and non academic activities would mix together, a real city with families, children and elder persons, with shops, services and business. In addition, the option was taken to organize the city in such a way that contacts between people be made easier. Therefore it was designed with a great attention to pedestrians, the car being considered as a way to reach Louvain-la-Neuve, but not the best way to circulate in Louvain-la-Neuve. 

Leden, L., P. G der and C. Johansson (2006). Safe pedestrian crossings for children and elderly. Accid. Anal Prev., 38,289-294. 

Pedestrians Cyclists PTWs Disabled Elderly Child Safety Mobility Infrastructure Vehicle VRU ... 

Intelligent Pedestrian Traffic Signals are seen as promising ITS for pedestrians, including the elderly and disabled, and cyclists. It provides pedestrians with the amount of time they need to cross at the speed they are capable of this being... 

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