Citation

Earl R, Falkmer T, Girdler S, Morris SL, Falkmer M. PLoS One 2018; 13(9): e0203765.

Affiliation

School of Education and Communication, CHILD programme, Institute of Disability Research, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Public Library of Science)

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0203765

PMID

30204784

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Shared zones are characterised by an absence of traditional markers that segregate the road and footpath. Negotiation of a shared zone relies on an individual's ability to perceive, assess and respond to environmental cues. This ability may be impacted by impairments in cognitive processing, which may lead to individuals experiencing increased anxiety when negotiating a shared zone.

METHOD: Q method was used in order to identify and explore the viewpoints of pedestrians, with and without cognitive impairments as they pertain to shared zones.

RESULTS: Two viewpoints were revealed. Viewpoint one was defined by "confident users" while viewpoint two was defined by users who "know what [they] are doing but drivers might not".

DISCUSSION: Overall, participants in the study would not avoid shared zones. Pedestrians with intellectual disability were, however, not well represented by either viewpoint, suggesting that shared zones may pose a potential barrier to participation for this group.

Language: en