An Exploration into Younger and Older Pedestrians’ Risky Behaviours at Train Level Crossings

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Younger and older pedestrians are both overrepresented in train-pedestrian injury and fatality collision databases. However, scant research has attempted to determine the factors that influence level crossing behaviours for these high risk groups. Method: Five focus groups were undertaken with a total of 27 younger and 17 older pedestrian level crossing users (N = 44). Due to the lack of research in the area, a focus group methodology was implemented to gain a deeper exploratory understanding into the sample's decision making processes through a pilot study. The three main areas of enquiry were identifying the: (a) primary reasons for unsafe behaviour; (b) factors that deter this behaviour and (c) proposed interventions to improve pedestrian safety at level crossings in the future. Results: Common themes to emerge from both groups regarding the origins of unsafe behaviours were: running late and a fatalistic perspective that some accidents are inevitable. However, younger pedestrians were more likely to report motivators to be: (a) non-perception of danger; (b) impulsive risk taking; and (c) inattention. In contrast, older pedestrians reported their decisions to cross are influenced by mobility issues and sensory salience. Conclusion: The findings indicate that a range of factors influence OPEN ACCESSSafety 2015, 1 17 pedestrian crossing behaviours. This paper will further outline the major findings of the research in regards to intervention development and future research direction.

Seguridad en pasos a nivel y factor humano: La experiencia del proyecto europeo SAFER-LC.

“…Factores cognitivos como la falta de atención, distracción, poco conocimiento, mal juicio, distancia de visión limitada, etc. (Freeman et al, 2013) pueden ser los que llevaran a la aparición de este tipo de errores.…”

“…En la literatura se citan varios factores que influyen en la tendencia de los usuarios a incumplir las reglas, entre ellos: factores individuales como la edad, el género, la personalidad y las actitudes; factores sociales como normas, cumplimiento y comportamiento de otras personas cercanas; y factores puntuales como el tiempo de espera, el clima, la distracción y el estado de ánimo (Edquist, 2011). Algunas razones más específicas para infringir deliberadamente las reglas de tránsito o de los pasos a nivel incluyen: tener prisa, la conveniencia, la familiaridad, la fatiga o el consumo de alcohol y drogas, entre otros (Freeman et al, 2013).…”

“…El tema de la presencia (y la conciencia) de un segundo tren que aparece poco después de que el primero ha pasado, está recibiendo cada vez más atención dentro de la literatura (Freeman et al, 2013). Los trenes que se aproximan pueden actuar como una distracción que afecta tanto a los peatones como a los usuarios motorizados.…”

Level Crossing Barrier Machine Faults and Anomaly Detection with the Use of Motor Current Waveform Analysis

“…The main task of automatic level crossing systems is to ensure the safety of road users and approaching trains [1][2][3]. They must comply with the requirements of Safety Integrity Level 4 [4] as the consequences of the majority of incidents are usually very severe.…”

Impact of Waiting Times on Risky Driver Behaviour at Railway Level Crossings

“…Previous research has shown road user behaviour to be the most prominent factor in collisions between trains and road users at railway level (at-grade) crossings [3,4]. Among the factors influencing non-compliance with railway level crossing (RLX) rules are errors of perception, errors of judgement and deliberate attempts to circumvent safety-oriented countermeasures (including regulatory and engineering measures) [5][6][7]. Within the category of deliberate circumvention, road user frustration and reluctance to wait as directed has been identified as one of the underlying factors in RLX violations [8].…”