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Walking and Talking: The Effect of Smartphone Use and Group Conversation on Pedestrian Speed

Author

Listed:
  • Lexie Reynolds Walsh
  • Tingsen (Tim) Xian
  • David Levinson

    (TransportLab, School of Civil Engineering, University of Sydney)

  • Hema Sharanya Rayaprolu

    (TransportLab, School of Civil Engineering, University of Sydney)

Abstract

Distracted walking due to smartphone use is on the rise resulting in growing concern over pedestrian safety and well-being. Our study measured the walking speeds of pedestrian groups differentiated by their smartphone use in two different environments - a wide pedestrian bridge at a university, and a narrow footpath on a busy commercial street. The results show that groups of people, phone users, and often followers of phone users, walk significantly slower than solo walkers uninfluenced by phone. Especially on the narrow street, people in groups and phone users are seen to not only slow themselves down but also slow the people walking behind them.

Suggested Citation

  • Lexie Reynolds Walsh & Tingsen (Tim) Xian & David Levinson & Hema Sharanya Rayaprolu, 2020. "Walking and Talking: The Effect of Smartphone Use and Group Conversation on Pedestrian Speed," Working Papers 2022-01, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:nex:wpaper:walkingandtalking
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.6092/1970-9870/6088
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2123/18775
    File Function: First version, 2020
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    File URL: https://libkey.io/https://doi.org/10.6092/1970-9870/6088?utm_source=ideas
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Walking; Smartphones; Socializing; Pedestrian Speed;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise

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