Organisation: University College London (Centre for Transport Studies)
Date uploaded: 25th June 2012
Date published/launched: May 2012
This UCL study, published in the journal Age and Ageing, compares the walking speed of the older population in the UK (aged 65 and over) with the speed required to use a pedestrian crossing.
The research found that the mean walking speed of participants in the Health Survey for England was 0.9 meters per second for older men and 0.8 meters per second for older women. This is significantly slower than the 1.2 meters per second required to use a pedestrian crossing in the UK and many other parts of the world.
As age increased in the participants, the speed at which they could walk also decreased. Overall, 76% of men and 85% of women had a walking speed that was below the required speed of 1.2 meters per second. The research also found that 93% of women and 84% of men had walking impairment.
Dr Asher and her colleagues built upon established knowledge of walking speeds by also showing that the ‘oldest old’, those living in a deprived area, current smokers, and those with a poor grip strength, were most likely to have a walking impairment. Older adults whose general health was rated as fair or worse, or who had a longstanding illness were also more likely to have a walking impairment.
The team concluded that most older adults either cannot walk 8 feet safely or cannot walk fast enough to use a pedestrian crossing in the UK. The health impacts on older adults include limited independence and reduced opportunities for physical activity and social interaction. An assumed normal walking speed for pedestrian crossings of 1.2 m/s is inappropriate for older adults and revision of these timings should be considered.
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Dave Weston
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