A new UBC study highlights the dangers of texting while walking, showing that distracted pedestrians are significantly more at risk of near-miss incidents with vehicles. The findings suggest key interventions to improve road safety.
Pedestrians who text or talk on their phones while walking are at significantly higher risk of accidents, according to a new study from the University of British Columbia. Research conducted at two busy intersections in downtown Vancouver has shown that distracted pedestrians have a 45% increased likelihood of near-miss incidents with vehicles compared to their undistracted counterparts.
“Non-distracted pedestrians made safer choices when interacting with vehicles,” lead author Tarek Sayed, a civil engineering professor who specializes in transportation safety engineering and pedestrian safety at UBC, said in a news release. “They maintained greater distances from vehicles, yielded more frequently to oncoming traffic and adjusted their speed when necessary.”
The study, published in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, utilized a combination of computer vision systems and artificial intelligence simulation models developed at UBC.
The researchers examined video traffic data to track the behaviors of both distracted and undistracted pedestrians, focusing on interactions that could potentially lead to accidents.
The study’s findings are significant, emphasizing that distracted pedestrians frequently remain unaware of their surroundings, leading to less efficient navigation and increased risks of severe vehicle interactions.
“For example, we can accommodate the risk of distracted walking and design safer infrastructure by adjusting crosswalk signal cycles or introducing audio signals to let pedestrians know when it is time to cross,” added co-author Tala Alsharif, a civil engineering graduate student at UBC.
Drivers also displayed altered behaviors when approaching distracted pedestrians, often decelerating to account for their unpredictable movements. This recognition from drivers highlights the broader community and infrastructural effort needed to address the problem.
The research underlines the importance of designing urban environments that account for distracted walking. Suggested interventions include sensor-based alert systems, designated mobile-free zones and even mobile notifications that prevent phone usage while crossing streets. Visual and auditory cues at crosswalks could also enhance pedestrian awareness and safety.
“By incorporating our findings into future research and traffic management approaches, we’ll be better able to assess pedestrian risks and develop strategies to improve road safety,” added co-author Gabriel Lanzaro, a graduate student in civil engineering at UBC.
This groundbreaking study not only sheds light on the dangers of distracted walking but also paves the way for smarter urban planning and infrastructure improvements that can enhance pedestrian safety across major cities.