Study Results from M.S. Cloutier and Colleagues Broaden Understanding of Risk Management (“Outta my way!” Individual and environmental correlates of…

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Study Results from M.S. Cloutier and Colleagues Broaden Understanding of Risk Management ("Outta my way!" Individual and environmental correlates of interactions between pedestrians and vehicles during street crossings)

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Weekly News -- Data detailed on Risk Management have been presented. According to news reporting originating from Montreal, Canada, by VerticalNews correspondents, research stated, "Because pedestrian crash rates remain lower than other collision types, surrogate measures such as traffic interactions are now used in road safety research to complement crash history. Using naturalistic data collection, we sought to assess 1) the likelihood of occurrence of interactions between pedestrians and vehicles based on individual and crossing characteristics; and 2) differences in interaction characteristics between children, adult and senior pedestrians."

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research, "Observations of pedestrian crossing behaviours (n = 4687) were recorded at 278 crossings. For, recorded interactions (n = 843), information was collected to characterize the behaviours of involved parties. A mixed-effect logit regression, model was performed to assess the factors associated with interactions. CM-square tests evaluated differences between age groups and characteristics of observed interactions. Older adults were those more likely to be involved in an interaction event. Bicycle paths, different crossing surface material and one-way streets were significantly associated with fewer interactions with vehicles, while parked vehicles nearby and crossings on arterial roads were significantly associated with more interactions. Children and the elderly (80 years of age or more) did have distinct patterns of interaction, with more careful drivers/cyclists behaviours being observed towards children and lesser regulation compliance towards the elderly. Given the growing emphasis and adoption of active transportation in many cities, the number of interactions between pedestrians and vehicles during street crossings is likely to increase. Educating drivers and pedestrians to respect each other's space requires an understanding of where, between whom, and under what circumstances interactions occur."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "Such an approach can also help identify which engineering and enforcement programs are needed to ensure safe pedestrian crossings since interactions can be, good markers of uncomfortable crossing situations that may deter walking and lead to more collisions."

For more information on this research see: "Outta my way!" Individual and environmental correlates of interactions between pedestrians and vehicles during street crossings. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 2017;104():36-45. Accident Analysis and Prevention can be contacted at: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Accident Analysis and Prevention - www.journals.elsevier.com/accident-analysis-and-prevention/)

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting M.S. Cloutier, Inst Natl Rech Sci, Center Urbanisat Culture Soc, Montreal, PQ H2X 1E3, Canada. Additional authors for this research include U. Lachapelle, A.A. d'Amours-Ouellet, J. Bergeron, S. Lord and J. Torres.

Keywords for this news article include: Montreal, Quebec, Canada, North and Central America, Risk Management.