A study on behavioral characteristics of elderly pedestrians on railroad crossing

In Japan, accidents at railroad crossings have been decreasing by the various safety measures that have been implemented. However, according to the statistics provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and... [ view full abstract ]

In Japan, accidents at railroad crossings have been decreasing by the various safety measures that have been implemented. However, according to the statistics provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), 93 people were killed in accidents at railroad crossings during the fiscal year 2013, and approximately 70% of the fatalities were pedestrians of which 40% were elderly people over 65 years of age. It is known that various motor and cognitive functions decline with aging and it is possible that elderly people display characteristic behaviors when walking across railroad crossings. This study investigated behavioral characteristics of elderly people when using railroad crossing to develop effective countermeasures for preventing accidents involving elderly people.

A survey was conducted from April to June in 2016. Video data (N=116) of railroad crossing trouble cases obtained from footage of security cameras set up at crossings showed the behaviors of passersby (pedestrians and cyclists) (N=183). Pedestrians were classified into two groups: elderly pedestrians over 65 years old (N=55) and younger pedestrians (N=127), whereas the age of one pedestrian could not be identified. All the crossing gates were bascule barriers that could completely block off the road. The data of pedestrians trapped between lowered crossing gates were analyzed to identify the reasons for getting trapped, which indicated that 42 pedestrians (23%) had an accident while crossing the railroad, such as a fall, among others, whereas 141 pedestrians (77%) did not have such accidents. Then, the time when pedestrians entered the crossing was examined based on their age group. In both groups, over 80% of pedestrians entered the crossing after the warning bell started ringing, which is a violation of traffic rules. In the case of elderly pedestrians, however, the percentage of violators was relatively low, and they tended to get trapped between the gates without committing any violation.

How pedestrians got out of the crossing was also analyzed. 

1. Many pedestrians in both age groups got out of the crossing at the tip of the crossbar. Moreover, the elderly compared to younger pedestrians more often got out from the base of the bar.

2. Both age groups tended to go straight towards the escape points. Moreover, the elderly compared to younger pedestrians first tended to reach the crossbar in the direction they intended to move, and then changed the course toward the final escape point.

3. Approximately 80% of pedestrians in both age groups “lifted,” “pushed,” or “passed under” the crossbar. Moreover, the elderly compared to the younger pedestrians more often lifted the bar.

4. When they were cycling, it was more difficult for both age groups to get out of the crossing, and this was especially true for elderly pedestrians.

This comparison identified behavioral characteristics of elderly pedestrians that were trapped at railroad crossings. It is possible that functional changes in movements and judgments might affect elderly pedestrians’ behaviors at railroad crossings.