The rules of the urban mobility game are going through times of change. Not only for manufacturers who, although dates vary from country to country, have a more or less uniform goal of stopping production of internal combustion vehicles; But also for Infantryfor whom physiognomyAs studies have revealed, it is changing.
In it UK, This phenomenon has already appeared, As a result of the increase in the obese population, pedestrian traffic signals at road crossings will increase their duration, According to the latest announcement issued by the country’s Ministry of Transport.
“If we don’t give people enough time to cross the street, “They will feel like they can’t leave their homes without a car.”Brian Deegan, Director of Inspections at… food (Active Travel England), an executive government agency whose responsibility is to make walking and cycling the preferred choice for getting around cities. Its goal is that by 2030, 50% of trips Carried out in English cities and towns Whether walking or cycling.
at the moment, The green doll appears for a pedestrian crossing for 6.1 seconds, Which represents an average speed of 1.2 meters per second. Policy, in negotiations to be formally implemented, It is suggested to increase the time to 7.3 secondsSo the average speed is one meter per second.
According to Deegan, this is a measure that aims to include and promote healthy habits, based on acceptance of reality: An increasing number of Britons are overweight; But there is also talk of a security measure, since there are more and more people who cannot cross the street during the time specified by the traffic light It poses a greater risk of serious accidents In the corners of cities.
It coincides with ATE University College London Which, in addition, is added to the equation by a factor Population aging. A study published in 2012 by a team of researchers from the academic institution stated that 76% of men and 85% of women over 65 years old did not cross the street before the green light went out. Participants’ average speed was 0.9 meters per second for older men and 0.8 meters per second for older women, both less than the 1.2 meters per second required today to cross a street with a traffic light.
“Transit times can be difficult, especially for the elderly and disabled A bad experience can make a person decide not to do itA spokesperson for ATE said. From the charity Age UK, its director, Caroline Abrahams, stressed the importance of this change and added that good local facilities and public spaces were also essential.Living a long and full life is something almost all of us aspire to. One of the most important factors that helps us live well for longer is… Our local environmentHe confirmed.
The truth is that The time required to cross the street was calculated in the 1950s Since then, it has not been updated. “People who walk or are in wheelchairs They should not rush to get to safety. “These updated guidelines are a step in the right direction,” said Stephen Edwards, CEO of Living Streets.
The charity has also undertaken several campaigns to improve road accessibility Advocates for pedestrian crossings to stop traffic fasterUnder the pretext that people are exposed to greater risks when crossing streets if they wait more than 30 seconds. “We want people to walk more on their daily commute to improve health and reduce traffic congestion. Without these considerations, they will feel forced to resort to less sustainable and less active means of transportation.”Edwards noted.
Other measures to consider
Extending the green traffic light to pedestrians is not the only proposal made recently in relation to the physical changes that the British population has experienced in recent decades. from Durham UniversityRachel Coles noted that action can be taken to make urban spaces inclusive for people of all sizes, such as: Expanding seat sizes on public roads and public transport seats.
The doctor also stressed that change must be social as well. “Being a plus-size person in a public place is really difficult because the situations tend to be hostile,” she said. “This is what makes public spaces in urban areas inaccessible: the fear of being judged, insulted and discriminated against.“.
Living Streets’ Edwards adds that sidewalks should be a target, too. Research conducted by the non-profit organization showed this 31% of people over 65 don’t walk because their local streets are in poor condition Or obstructed by litter boxes, among other things. He also stressed the importance of having more public bathrooms and rest areas. “Rest areas are very important for people who cannot walk long distances, including the elderly, people with chronic diseases or families with young children,” he said.
Finally, the number of people with dementia in the UK is expected to rise from around 900,000 in 2021 to 1.6 million in 2040, and some modifications that could help people with the condition include making street signs clearer, and intersections simpler.
In short, based on the fact that in recent decades Population ages (due to higher life expectancy among the elderly), and I gained weight (Because the number of obese people has risen), suggests ATE Modernizing road systems according to real needs, To promote walking in urban mobility.
“We want to enable millions of people to travel by walking, cycling or using a wheelchair for short journeys. Part of this involves Ensure that crossing times are comprehensive and give everyone enough time to cross the street“Concluded the ATE spokesperson.