Road crossings in the UK may be moving too quickly for many people, particularly older adults and those with reduced mobility, according to new academic research that challenges long-standing assumptions in pedestrian infrastructure design. The study suggests that current signal timings often fail to reflect how fast people actually walk, creating barriers that affect not only safety but also independence and everyday participation in community life.
The research, carried out by academics from the University of Bath, the University of Birmingham and the University of Exeter, found that pedestrian crossings typically allow less than 2 seconds for many people with reduced mobility to cross the road comfortably. Most crossings are designed around an assumed walking speed of 1.2 metres per second, a benchmark that does not match the realities of ageing or mobility impairment.
Led by Dr Max Western from the University of Bath, the study showed that only 1.5 per cent of older adults with mobility limitations could cross the road within the time allotted by pedestrian signals while walking at a comfortable pace. For the vast majority, this means hurrying beyond their physical limits or risk being caught in the road when the lights change.
The researchers analysed walking speed data from 1,110 adults aged 65 and over who participated in two major UK research trials. The average walking speed recorded was 0.77 metres per second, well below the level assumed in most crossing designs. At this pace, an individual would need around 6.5 seconds to cross a five-metre-wide road, compared with the just over four seconds typically allowed by pedestrian signals. More than half of the participants would need to increase their comfortable walking speed by at least 50 per cent to cross safely within the current time limits.
Dr Western warned that unrealistic crossing times have consequences that extend beyond the immediate risk of accidents. He noted that when something as routine as crossing the road becomes stressful or unsafe, it can discourage older people from leaving their homes, limiting physical activity and social interaction. Over time, this can contribute to declining health, increased isolation, and a loss of independence.
Professor Afroditi Stathi from the University of Birmingham emphasised the importance of inclusive outdoor design in supporting healthy ageing. She argued that allowing sufficient time to cross the road can boost confidence, help older adults remain active, and enable them to stay connected with their communities, all of which are closely linked to quality of life.
The research team is calling for relatively simple changes, such as extending green signal times and designing crossings around a more realistic walking speed of about 0.7 metres per second. While technologies such as smart crossings and countdown timers are becoming more common, the researchers stress that meaningful improvements depend on inclusive design standards and public health strategies that recognise the needs of an ageing population and people with reduced mobility.
More information: Max Western et al, Why didn’t the senior citizen cross the road? Gait speed in community-dwelling older adults with mobility limitations relative to pedestrian crossing times, Age and Ageing. DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afaf345
Journal information: Age and Ageing Provided by University of Bath
