Exploring the determinants of older adults' susceptibility to pedestrians' incidents. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doulabi, Saba; Hassan, Hany M.; Ferguson, Mark R.; Razavi, Saiedeh; Paez, Antonio
• Is Part Of: Accident analysis and prevention. Volume 155(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Older adults -- Older pedestrians -- Falls incidents -- Crash involvement -- Structural equation modeling; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; 363.106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2021.106100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-4575

Abstract

Highlights: This paper examines significant factors causing or leading older adults (65+) to be involved in pedestrian incidents. The data were collected from 1001 older adults living in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, South Ontario, Canada. A wide range of health and behavioral factors of older pedestrians were explored. Walking difficulties and fear of falling were the most significant factors followed by crossing evaluation capability. Abstract: Older pedestrians (65 years and above) are among the most vulnerable road users. As the number and proportion of older adults grows in many countries, and awareness of the benefits of active travel becomes increasingly evident, it behooves researchers to further investigate the safety of older pedestrians. This study contributes to the literature by examining the factors that influence older adults' susceptibility to pedestrian incidents (falls incidents and pedestrian-vehicle collisions). To this end, a sample of older adults living in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, South Ontario, Canada was surveyed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), to identify several latent factors that are significantly associated with older adults' involvement in pedestrian incidents. The results revealed that the factors that affect older adults' susceptibility to pedestrian incidents are level of difficulty while walking, fear of falling, and crossing evaluation capability. In contrast, level of pedestrian confidence and level of risk-taking crossing behavior are not among the significant factors. It was also found that older pedestrians aged 65–75 years, males, and those who are still working had a greater probability to be involved in pedestrian incidents. These findings shed light on some key constraints of older pedestrians, and the extent to which each factor could improve their safety. This information, in turn, can be used by transportation authorities in prioritizing their plans, policies, and programs towards improving the safety and mobility of older pedestrians.