Drivers across the UK could soon encounter new traffic regulations on every road, designed to enhance safety for older citizens and those with mobility challenges.
Crossing Times Fall Dangerously Short
A major new study has delivered a stark warning: pedestrian crossing signals do not provide enough time for a significant portion of the population. Research led by academics from the Universities of Bath, Birmingham, and Exeter indicates that the time interval at UK crossings is more than two seconds shorter than what people with reduced mobility require to cross safely.
The investigation, spearheaded by Dr Max Western from the Centre for Motivation and Behaviour Change, analysed the walking speeds of 1,110 adults aged 65 and over. It found that the average comfortable walking speed for participants was just 0.77 metres per second. This is dramatically slower than the 1.2 m/s pace that most pedestrian crossing designs are based upon.
A Direct Threat to Independence and Safety
The implications of this speed mismatch are serious. At their average speed, an older adult would need approximately 6.5 seconds to cross a standard 5-metre road. This is over two seconds longer than the green 'walk' signal typically allows.
"Current crossing times might be unrealistic for many older people who face challenges with their mobility," explained Dr Max Western, a Senior Lecturer in Bath's Department for Health. He emphasised that this is not solely a traffic safety issue. "It's potentially a barrier to independence, physical activity, and social connection, all of which often decline in later life."
Alarmingly, the study concluded that just 1.5% of older adults with mobility limitations can walk fast enough at a comfortable pace to cross within the standard signal time.
Calls for Inclusive Urban Design
The research further identified that older age, along with lower strength and balance, were directly linked to slower walking speeds. For over half of the study's participants, safely crossing an average road would require them to increase their comfortable walking speed by 50% or more.
Professor Afroditi Stathi from the University of Birmingham, who leads the two UK research trials that underpinned these findings, highlighted the broader societal impact. "Older adults often face challenges staying active and connected, especially when mobility is reduced," she stated.
Professor Stathi advocates for smarter urban planning: "Designing outdoor spaces that work for everyone – such as allowing enough time to cross the road – can boost confidence, support independence, and help them remain engaged in their communities. This is all key to a better quality of life."
The findings place significant pressure on transport authorities and urban planners to reconsider the fundamental assumptions behind road safety infrastructure, potentially leading to widespread changes in how crossing times are calculated and implemented.
