Traffic as a barrier to walking safely in the United States: Perceived reasons and potential mitigation strategies

Graycie W. Soto · Geoffrey P. Whitfield · Bryant J. Webber · John D. Omura · Tiffany J. Chen · Hatidza Zaganjor

19 citations0/0 files storedPreventive Medicine Reports

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Urban Transport and Accessibility Traffic and Road Safety Injury Epidemiology and Prevention

Abstract

Motor vehicle traffic is commonly cited as a barrier to walking, but national level perceptions of traffic characteristics that negatively influence walking and potential traffic mitigation strategies remain unclear. The objectives of this study were to describe perceptions of (1) traffic characteristics that make walking unsafe in the United States and (2) potential mitigation strategies to address these concerns among those who report traffic as a barrier to walking. Data were from FallStyles, a nationwide internet panel survey conducted in October 2019 (n = 3,284 adults). Respondents reported if traffic makes walking unsafe where they live; those who answered yes were then asked about traffic characteristics that make walking unsafe (number of vehicles, speed of vehicles, distracted or impaired driving, types of vehicles, and other reasons) and potential mitigation strategies (new or improved sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, street lighting, things that slow vehicles down, separating the sidewalk from the road, fewer vehicle lanes, and other). Prevalence of responses was assessed overall and by select sociodemographic and geographic characteristics, and by walking status. Nearly 25% of US adults reported that traffic is a barrier to walking where they live. Of these, 79% selected vehicle speed as a contributing traffic characteristic, and 57% indicated new or improved sidewalks as a potential mitigation strategy. These top responses were shared across all sociodemographic, geographic, and walking behavior subgroups. Speed reduction efforts and built environment enhancements such as sidewalks may alleviate pedestrian safety concerns. Promotion campaigns may be needed to bring awareness to such changes.

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References

2003Neighborhood-Based Differences in Physical Activity: An Environment Scale Evaluation 2008Built Environment Correlates of Walking 2004Understanding environmental influences on walking 2007Exploring Associations between Physical Activity and Perceived and Objective Measures of the Built Environment 2008How Far, by Which Route and Why? A Spatial Analysis of Pedestrian Preference 2012Destination and Route Attributes Associated with Adults’ Walking 2005Is it Safe to Walk?1 Neighborhood Safety and Security Considerations and Their Effects on Walking 2009Age Differences in the Relation of Perceived Neighborhood Environment to Walking

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