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Older People’s Perceptions of Pedestrian Friendliness and Traffic Safety: An Experiment Using Computer-Simulated Walking Environments

Author

Listed:
  • Daniela Kahlert

    (Exercise and Health Science, Stuttgart Research Initiative Human Factors in Ageing, Technology, and Environment, University of Stuttgart, Nobelstr. 15, Stuttgart 70569, Germany)

  • Wolfgang Schlicht

    (Exercise and Health Science, Stuttgart Research Initiative Human Factors in Ageing, Technology, and Environment, University of Stuttgart, Nobelstr. 15, Stuttgart 70569, Germany)

Abstract

Traffic safety and pedestrian friendliness are considered to be important conditions for older people’s motivation to walk through their environment. This study uses an experimental study design with computer-simulated living environments to investigate the effect of micro-scale environmental factors (parking spaces and green verges with trees) on older people’s perceptions of both motivational antecedents (dependent variables). Seventy-four consecutively recruited older people were randomly assigned watching one of two scenarios (independent variable) on a computer screen. The scenarios simulated a stroll on a sidewalk, as it is ‘typical’ for a German city. In version ‘A,’ the subjects take a fictive walk on a sidewalk where a number of cars are parked partially on it. In version ‘B’, cars are in parking spaces separated from the sidewalk by grass verges and trees. Subjects assessed their impressions of both dependent variables. A multivariate analysis of covariance showed that subjects’ ratings on perceived traffic safety and pedestrian friendliness were higher for Version ‘B’ compared to version ‘A’. Cohen’s d indicates medium (d = 0.73) and large (d = 1.23) effect sizes for traffic safety and pedestrian friendliness, respectively. The study suggests that elements of the built environment might affect motivational antecedents of older people’s walking behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniela Kahlert & Wolfgang Schlicht, 2015. "Older People’s Perceptions of Pedestrian Friendliness and Traffic Safety: An Experiment Using Computer-Simulated Walking Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-13, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:8:p:10066-10078:d:54590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alfred Rütten & Karim Abu-Omar, 2004. "Prevalence of physical activity in the European Union," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 49(4), pages 281-289, August.
    2. Nasar, Jack L. & Holloman, Christopher & Abdulkarim, Dina, 2015. "Street characteristics to encourage children to walk," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 62-70.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pablo Sáinz-Ruiz & José Ramón Martínez-Riera, 2022. "Community Assets for Health Model and Assessment Scale: A Delphi-Based Analysis and Expert Validation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Tanja Brüchert & Pia Hasselder & Paula Quentin & Gabriele Bolte, 2020. "Walking for Transport among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Role of the Built Environment in Less Densely Populated Areas in Northern Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-21, December.
    3. Pablo Alberto Sáinz-Ruiz & Javier Sanz-Valero & Vicente Gea-Caballero & Pedro Melo & Tam H. Nguyen & Juan Daniel Suárez-Máximo & José Ramón Martínez-Riera, 2021. "Dimensions of Community Assets for Health. A Systematised Review and Meta-Synthesis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-20, May.
    4. Jingrui Sun & Zhenjun Zhu & Ji Han & Zhanpeng He & Xinfang Xu, 2023. "Influence of the Built Environment on Older Adults’ Travel Time: Evidence from the Nanjing Metropolitan Area, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-19, June.

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