Analysis of factors affecting pedestrian safety for the elderly and identification of vulnerable areas in Seoul.

Abstract

Walking is the primary means of mobility and a daily activity for the elderly. Despite the need to ensure pedestrian safety given their physical limitations, elderly pedestrian traffic accidents in South Korea occur at a rate 7.7 times higher than in OECD member countries. In preparation for an aging society, there is a growing need to create a safe walking environment for the elderly. This study focuses on Seoul, analyzing the factors that compromise pedestrian safety for the elderly and identifying the characteristics of vulnerable areas. By using elderly pedestrian traffic accident data provided by the Road Traffic Authority and applying factors influencing accident occurrence to the MaxEnt model, the study identified priority elements for ensuring pedestrian safety. Additionally, the study predicted the regional vulnerability of elderly pedestrian accidents with the increasing elderly population in the future and reviewed possible measures to mitigate the risks. The study indicates that areas where elderly pedestrian safety is vulnerable tend to have lower budget allocations for road management, suggesting a need for future policy support. The prediction of elderly pedestrian accident occurrences through this study is expected to be useful in identifying areas with vulnerable pedestrian safety in Seoul, which can be utilized in prioritizing road improvement projects.