JUNIOR ORIENTATION PROGRAM

2015

MOBILE DEVICE USE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

MOHAMED BOUZAGHRANE

NOVEMBER 6 TH, 2015 | BALTIMORE, MD

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE

PROJECT?

Personally funded

First personal research project

Research team comprised of friends

Witnessed accident

OBJECTIVES

2
Objectives

Correlation between
mobile device use and
pedestrian distraction

Correlation between
mobile device use and
unsafe pedestrian
behavior

2
Studies

STUDY 1 LOCATION

END
CAMPUS OF
HOWARD
UNIVERSITY,
Washington D.C.
START

STUDY 1 METHODOLOGY
STAR
T
POIN
T

FINIS
H
POIN
T

1 st
2 nd

2 Groups:
received phone call
did not receive call

Questions
about out of
place objects

Assessment of
situation
awareness

STUDY 1 RESULTS

More objects noticed in nonconversation scenario compared

to conversation scenario
Reduced situation
awareness/recall directly
correlated to device use
Could result in unsafe behavior

STUDY 2 LOCATION

3 Major
Intersections on
Howard Universitys
Campus

STUDY 2 METHODOLOGY

NO
CAR

4 observers
at
intersection

YE
S
OR
NO

Pedestrians
crossing
crosswalk

Recording
pedestrian behavior
based on situation

STUDY 2 RESULTS
60.0%

Most of cellphone users:

o Walked for approaching
car
o Stopped for stopped car
o Did not walk for no car
presence
iPod users:
o More stopped than
walked
No device:
o Showed safest behavior

50.0%

40.0%

Percentage Observed as Unsafe 30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%
Cell Phone

Condition

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS