Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, public health policies urge physical distancing (also known as social distancing) of 2 m (6 feet) when walking outside in public spaces. This survey-based study reports on changes in general pedestrian behaviours due to pandemic conditions such as reduction in frequency of daily walking, and lack of comfort when in proximity of others. Responses to common urban pedestrian scenarios identified emerging adaptive strategies used by adults to maintain physical distancing. The two main strategies are Avoidance (stepping off one’s path, crossing the road) and Encounter (stopping to let others pass, continuing the path of travel). Decisions to use one physical distancing strategy over another are related to the perceived traffic safety risks associated with the scenarios. For the low- and moderate-risk traffic scenarios, stepping off the path to avoid others is the preferred strategy. In the high-risk traffic scenarios, stopping on the path to let others pass or continuing to walk are preferred to stepping into traffic, even though physical distancing will not be maintained. Results from the study have implications for educational campaigns to promote effective physical distancing strategies, as well as planning for urban infrastructure to promote walking for health and mobility.
Pedestrian Physical-Distancing Strategies During COVID-19
Lect. Notes in Networks, Syst.
Congress of the International Ergonomics Association ; 2021 June 13, 2021 - June 18, 2021
Proceedings of the 21st Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2021) ; Chapter : 78 ; 580-585
2021-05-08
6 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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