Biomechanics for inclusive urban design: Effects of tactile paving on older adults' gait when crossing the street

Abstract In light of our ageing population it is important that the urban environment is easily accessible and hence supports older adults' independence. Tactile ‘blister’ paving was originally designed to provide guidance for visually impaired people at pedestrian crossings. However, as resear...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of biomechanics 2011-05, Vol.44 (8), p.1599-1604
Main Authors: Thies, S.B, Kenney, L.P.J, Howard, D, Nester, C, Ormerod, M, Newton, R, Baker, R, Faruk, M, MacLennan, H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidental Falls - prevention & control
Adult
Adults
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Biomechanical Phenomena
Biomechanics
Biomechanics. Biorheology
Construction Materials
Design
Design engineering
Diabetes
Environment
Equipment Design
Facility Design and Construction
Falls
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gait
Humans
Hypotheses
Inclusive design
Male
Materials Testing
Middle Aged
Older people
Paving
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Residence Characteristics
Standard deviation
Streets
Studies
Tactile
Tissues, organs and organisms biophysics
Urban design
Urban environments
Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
Walking
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Summary:Abstract In light of our ageing population it is important that the urban environment is easily accessible and hence supports older adults' independence. Tactile ‘blister’ paving was originally designed to provide guidance for visually impaired people at pedestrian crossings. However, as research links irregular surfaces to falls in older adults, such paving may have an adverse effect on older people. We investigated the effects of tactile paving on older adults' gait in a scenario closely resembling crossing the street. Gait analysis of 32 healthy older adults showed that tactile, as compared to smooth, paving increases the variability in timing of foot placement by 20%, thereby indicating a disturbance of the rhythmic gait pattern. Moreover, toe clearance during the swing phase increased by 7% on tactile paving, and the ability to stop upon cue from the traffic light was compromised. These results need to be viewed under the consideration of limitations associated with laboratory studies and real world analysis is needed to fully understand their implications for urban design.
ISSN:0021-9290
1873-2380
DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.12.016