Pedestrian smartphone distraction: Prevalence and potential severity

Horberry, Tim; Osborne, Rachel; Young, Kristie Lee

doi:10.1016/j.trf.2018.11.011

Cited by 66 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…In this research, people listening to music while crossing the intersection were less likely to display unsafe behavior than those who did not use mobile phones. This result was also in line with that of previous studies (1,(28)(29)(30)(31). In the same vein, Walker et al (2012) concluded that unlike talking on a mobile phone that reduced caution behavior, the use of a personal music player (PMD) did not affect pedestrians' caution behavior.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

The hazards of pedestrian mobile-phone use when crossing signalized intersections, Iran (2017); an observational study

Khosromehr

Davoodi

2019

JOHE

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Article Info Background: Distracted walking is a major cause of pedestrian fatalities. Along with the expansion and popularity of mobile phones, their impacts on pedestrian safety, especially when crossing urban intersections have attracted a lot of attention. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of mobile-phone use on pedestrians' crossing behavior when passing signalized intersections. Materials and Methods: An observational study was conducted to compare the behavior of pedestrians using mobile phones (the reference group) with non-mobile phone pedestrians (the time-matched control group and the demographic-matched control group) crossing signalized intersections in 2017. For this purpose, the demographic information and walking behaviors of 513 pedestrians were observed. Furthermore, a binary logistic regression model was used to predict risky behaviors. Results: Using mobile phones has a direct impact on the unsafe behavior of pedestrians crossing signalized intersections. Mobile-phone users showed significantly less safe behavior (14.6 times) than non-mobile phone users (p <0.001). Using mobile phones to talk had the greatest impact on the vulnerable behavior of pedestrians (p <0.001). SMS conversations and listening to music were in the next positions, respectively (p = 0.283). Conclusions: Using mobile phones can often lead to the carelessness of pedestrians and their exposure to the possible risk of pedestrian-vehicle crashes. Applying the findings of the present research requires effective technologies and strategies to prevent the use of mobile phones by pedestrians at signalized intersections.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

The hazards of pedestrian mobile-phone use when crossing signalized intersections, Iran (2017); an observational study

Khosromehr

Davoodi

2019

JOHE

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“…Additionally, it was found that pedestrians who were distracted by a cigarette, cell phone or music player accounted for 20% of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries caused by road users' attention being diverted [16]. In Australia, Horberry et al [32] found that, on average (including eight city sites, a total of 4129 observations), 20% of pedestrians were using smart phones when crossing roads, headphone use (auditory only, 38%) and texting/interacting with the device (37%) were the most popular functions used by those distracted pedestrians. Besides, Hou et al [33] found that over half (53%) of 387 participants reported using a mobile phone while crossing street in China, and the younger participants were more likely to be distracted by their devices, they also had a more positive attitude towards the device use while crossing street.…”

Section: Pedestrians and Mobile Phone Distractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Social Networks in Mobile Phone Use among Pedestrians: A Pilot Study in China

Hou¹,

Cheng²

2021

Sustainability

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Pedestrian safety is alarming worldwide, and it is well validated that distracted walking/crossing involving mobile phone use would significantly compromise pedestrian safety. Some existing studies demonstrated that distracted pedestrians would spend more time to cross street, miss more safe opportunities to cross and pay less attention to the road environment, etc. As a result, they are more likely to be hit by an oncoming vehicle. Specifically, with respect to the distraction results from mobile phone use for communication in road user groups, previous research has examined the relationship between social networks and mobile phone use among drivers and motorcyclists. However, very little similar research was found in the field of pedestrian study. This study performed an online survey to investigate with whom pedestrians were most likely to communicate with while crossing street in a Chinese sample. The association between social networks and self-reported injury/ near miss event was also examined. To provide an insight into the difference in communication pattern between scenarios, the results were compared with the patterns while driving, motorcycling and the general patterns. Results indicate that pedestrians are most likely to communicate with friends (31.2%), followed by spouses (24.5%). Additionally, participants who frequently talk to parents/children have a greater likelihood of being involved in injury/ near miss events than those talk to the others. Compared with the prevalence of mobile phone use among drivers and motorcyclists reported in previous studies, mobile phone use is more prevalent among pedestrians, especially as they are more likely to communicate with colleagues. In sum, the results demonstrate that social networks play an important role in mobile phone use during street crossing, and pedestrians are more likely to communicate with people who are socially closest to them. The effect of social networks on mobile phone use (especially for communication) among pedestrians should be considered in the development of traffic safety countermeasures.

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“…A significant amount of the observation-based studies on this phenomenon addresses the topic from a pedestrian safety perspective. In this context, many of the related studies observed the walking behavior of smartphone users in a simulated environment in which they can restrict environmental factors [13,16,17,20], and most of the real-world experiments were conducted at street crossings [12,14,18,31,33]. Although crossings have lower smartphone usage rates compared to other public spaces, they comprise most of the literature given that they pose the highest risk in terms of pedestrian safety [36].…”

Section: Observing Pedestrians With Smartphones In Public Spacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Between Post-Flâneur and Smartphone Zombie: Smartphone Users’ Altering Visual Attention and Walking Behavior in Public Space

Argın

Pak

Türkoğlu

2020

IJGI

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The extensive use of smartphones in our everyday lives has created new modes of appropriation and behavior in public spaces. Recognition of these are essential for urban design and planning practices which help us to improve the relationship between humans, technologies, and urban environment. This study aims to research smartphone users in public space by observing their altering visual attention and walking behavior, and, in this way, to reveal the emergent “new figures”. For this purpose, Korenmarkt square in Ghent, Belgium, was observed for seven days in 10-min time intervals. The gaze and walking behavior of smartphone users were encoded as geo-located and temporal data, analyzed and mapped using statistical and spatial analysis methods. Developing and implementing new methods for identifying the characteristics of smartphone users, this study resulted in a nuanced characterization of novel spatial appropriations. The findings led to a better understanding and knowledge of the different behavior patterns of emergent figures such as “post-flâneurs” and “smartphone zombies” while uncovering their altering visual interactions with and movements in the public space. The results evoked questions on how researchers and designers can make use of spatial analysis methods and rethink the public space of the future as a hybrid construct integrating the virtual and the physical.

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Pedestrian smartphone distraction: Prevalence and potential severity

Cited by 66 publications

References 17 publications

The hazards of pedestrian mobile-phone use when crossing signalized intersections, Iran (2017); an observational study

The hazards of pedestrian mobile-phone use when crossing signalized intersections, Iran (2017); an observational study

The Role of Social Networks in Mobile Phone Use among Pedestrians: A Pilot Study in China

Between Post-Flâneur and Smartphone Zombie: Smartphone Users’ Altering Visual Attention and Walking Behavior in Public Space

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