Validation of Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress and Perceived Safety for Children

Author(s):  
Nicholas N. Ferenchak ◽  
Wesley E. Marshall

The level of traffic stress (LTS) methodology was developed to measure, track, and improve the suitability of bicycle networks. Thanks to the simplicity of its data needs and interpretation, LTS has been implemented by several states, regions, cities, non-profits, and researchers. However, relatively few validations of the methodology exist. There is a specific gap in relation to safety perceptions for children, an important group since it serves as the critical population for LTS 1. This study validates LTS using a survey of parents in Denver, Colorado, in which they are asked about perceived safety and biking allowance relative to roadway design characteristics. After the LTS score and biking allowance rates for 612 roadway scenarios are determined, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to determine the suitability of LTS for children. Findings suggest that while LTS 1 and LTS 4 align well with stated preferences, parents told that their children would be able to tolerate some roadway conditions—when allowing for adult supervision—that are currently considered LTS 2 or even LTS 3. These scenarios are primarily on low-volume roadways that have bike lanes. By further refining LTS, it is hoped to ensure that all populations have access to safe and comfortable bicycle facilities.

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-188
Author(s):  
Emilia Bogacka

Motives: The pandemic situation created unique opportunity to undertake research in the context of the changed living conditions of the population. Aim: The main purpose is to assess broadly understood safety perceptions at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. The key research tool used was a survey questionnaire (270 respondents), complemented by observations in Poznań (Poland) and photographic documentation. Hometown was chosen due to imposed restrictions on movement. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed people’s life in many aspects and therefore affected perceived safety. Level of fear of the pandemic was varied and so was keeping up to date with information about the pandemic outcomes. Before the pandemic people felt safer in the analysed various places. Implication of the pandemic for everyday behaviour was significant, resulting e.g. in leaving home when it is absolutely necessary, working from home. Most of the imposed restrictions were rated positively.


Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Sanders ◽  
Belinda Judelman

This article presents the results of an address-based sample survey ( n = 351) conducted in the fall of 2016 for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) as part of an effort to provide guidance for building sidepaths. The survey investigated attitudes toward bicycling among drivers and bicyclists, bicycling habits, barriers to bicycling, and roadway design preferences regarding bicycle infrastructure in Michigan. In particular, this survey explored design preferences while bicycling with children, bicycling by oneself, and driving. Safety emerged as a key barrier to bicycling, as did distance, weather, and the difficulty of carrying things or traveling with others. Roadway design preferences were clearly weighted toward greater separation when sharing the roadway whether as a bicyclist or a driver, and this trend was most pronounced ( p < 0.001) when considering bicycling with children. In all cases, ratings for one-way separated bike lanes were similar to those for sidepaths, suggesting that separated bike lanes could be a key part of addressing the safety and comfort concerns of more cautious riders. Preferences for separation were strongly associated with perceived safety as a barrier. These results were even stronger for non-transport-cyclists, although all groups, regardless of frequency or type of bicycling, preferred more separation. These results corroborate past research and add compelling evidence for separated facilities as a key part of expanding the potential for bicycling trips in general, and particularly with children. The survey findings will inform guidance about sidepath design for MDOT.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiping Chen

PurposeThe aim of this research is to empirically investigate how different types of trust relate to consumer perceptions of food safety.Design/methodology/approachAfter a review of trust literature this study classifies trust into three distinct types: supplier‐level specific trust, industry‐level specific trust and general trust. The direct and indirect relationships between three types of trust and consumer perceptions of food safety were studied through a survey of 1165 consumers from Beijing municipality, China using structural equation model as an analytical tool.FindingsThe results indicate that trust in manufacturers and trust in retailers are directly positively related to food safety perceptions. Trust in farmers is not directly related to food safety perceptions. Industry‐level specific trust is not related to food safety perceptions directly, but it is positively related to supplier‐level specific trust, which in turn is positively related to food safety perceptions. Finally, general trust has only a weak indirect positive effect through its effect on trust in food manufacturers.Practical implicationsThe results imply that consumer perceived safety of food products might be enhanced by improving consumer trust in manufacturers and trust in retailers. The results also suggest that food suppliers are more difficult to build consumer trust when industry‐level specific trust is low and declining. In addition, food suppliers also get potential benefits through influencing and improving industry‐level specific trust. At last, the results suggest that some concerns about food safety are related to individuals' world reviews and maybe beyond the control of the food system.Originality/valueThis study is the first to investigate the relationship between different types of specific trust in the context of food safety. Accordingly, it complements existing trust models and helps predict and explain how trust relates to food safety perceptions directly and indirectly through interactions between different types of trust.


2006 ◽  
Vol 175 (4S) ◽  
pp. 154-154
Author(s):  
Michael Alschibaja ◽  
Joerg Massmann ◽  
Armin Funk ◽  
Heiner Van Randenborgh ◽  
Rudolf Hartung ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
C. Patrick Doncaster ◽  
Andrew J. H. Davey
Keyword(s):  

Author(s):  
Glenn Gamst ◽  
Lawrence S. Meyers ◽  
A. J. Guarino
Keyword(s):  

Crisis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin F. Ward-Ciesielski ◽  
Madeline D. Wielgus ◽  
Connor B. Jones

Background: Suicide-bereaved individuals represent an important group impacted by suicide. Understanding their experiences following the suicide of a loved one is an important research domain, despite receiving limited attention. Although suicide-bereaved individuals may benefit from mental health treatment, their attitudes toward therapy and therapists are poorly understood. Aims: The present study aimed to understand the extent to which bereaved individuals’ attitudes toward therapy and therapists are impacted by whether their loved one was in therapy at the time of death. Method: Suicide-bereaved individuals (N = 243) from the United States were recruited to complete an online survey about their experience with and attitudes toward therapy and therapists following the suicide of a loved one. Results: Bereaved individuals whose loved one was in therapy at the time of death (N = 48, 19.8%) reported more negative and less positive attitudes toward the treating therapist than those whose loved one was not in therapy at the time of death (N = 81, 33.3%) or whose loved one was never in therapy/the deceased’s therapy status was unknown (N = 114, 46.9%). Conclusion: The deceased’s involvement with a therapist appears to be an important factor impacting the experience of bereaved individuals and should be considered when attempting to engage these individuals in postvention.


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