Pedestrian Behavior:
Multitasking while crossing an Intersection
Many people pride themselves on the ability to multitask, which includes using cell phones while crossing the street. While current literature supports the phenomenon suggesting that more pedestrians are engaging in multitasking as they cross intersections. Multitasking was observed as pedestrians crossed the intersections of Georgia Avenue and Bryant Street in Washington Dc. Are there more people crossing the street who are multi-tasking, or who are not multitasking. How are pedestrians multi-tasking, as they cross the street, were participants using handset at their ears, using headphones, or looking down at their phones. Or finally if they chose not to multitask while they crossed the intersection. These finding suggest that pedestrians did not engage in multitasking while they proceeded to cross the intersection.
Risky Pedestrian Behavior: Multi-tasking at Intersections
With the attention of cell-phone distraction while driving, its risks, injuries, and deaths in the media and research, we would consider that pedestrians would be more cautious with multi-tasking while crossing intersections. However, since we are in the age of technology, pedestrians are more likely to engage in multitasking. In a study, by (Stavrinos, Byington, & Schwebel 2011) the researchers argues that children view cell phones to preserve safety, and are a necessity accessory. In this case cell phones are used for emergency situations, and quick access to adults, and safety officials, however in the study it concluded that Furthermore, multi-tasking while crossing an intersection can be seen as beneficial, and explains the reason for pedestrians engaging in the activity. For many other researchers this led to questions
