Citation

Heller M, Kuzel M, Kwasniak A, Cuadrado J. ITE J. 2008; 78(12): 40-43.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Institute of Transportation Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Roadway designers assume that pedestrians will allocate appropriate attention to their surrounding, allowing safety features incorporated on their behalf to have a meaningful impact on their behavior. However, pedestrians whose attention is distracted by other cognitive or physical tasks may not consistently engage in self-protective behaviors at intersections. This article describes safety efforts that are focused on helping make pedestrians more aware of their surroundings. Recent research has sought to increase understanding of the behaviors and performance capabilities of pedestrians distracted by personal mobile electronic devices, such as cell phones and music players. Results from several recent studies have suggested than engaging in an auditorily distractive activity can cause pedestrians to miss salient objects in their environment. New technologies are in development that would warn drivers about likely violations of traffic control devices or the existence of pedestrians within an intersection.


Keywords: Driver distraction; Pedestrian distraction