Impact of Weather on Pedestrians’ Slip Risk

Marjo Hippi,Markku Kangas

doi:10.3390/ijerph19053007

Abstract

Pedestrians’ slipping injuries are a very typical problem in the Nordic countries, causing varying degrees of injuries and in the worst case, long sick leaves. There is a clear seasonal variation in the number of slips. Sidewalk slipperiness and the risk of slips is a complex combination of weather, winter maintenance activities, number of walkers, and the grip between shoes and surface, as well as human behavioral and physical factors. In this study, the effect of weather on pedestrians’ slipping injuries is studied. Daily weather observations are compared to the slip statistics that have been collected from commuting accident statistics in cases where the way of commuting has been walking. A total of 16 cities from Finland for 14 winters are included in this study. The results reveal that snow on the ground increases the slip risk more than three times compared to no-snow situations. Near zero temperatures and precipitation are very typical on days when slip injuries occur more than usual. However, there are also days when high amounts of slips cannot be explained with the weather. The study also shows that there are significant differences as to the number and timing of slips between different parts of the country.

Highlights

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has set a programme to promote sustainable transport modes in Finnish municipalities [1]
Weather observations are compared to the slip statistics that have been collected from commuting accident statistics in cases where the way of commuting has been walking
The aim of this study was to find out how the pedestrian slip rates vary between different seasons and months, and what is the weather typically like when high slip rates occur

Summary

Introduction

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has set a programme to promote sustainable transport modes in Finnish municipalities [1]. The aim is to increase trips made on foot or by bicycle, promote public health, improve traffic safety, and decrease the greenhouse gas emissions from transport as well as emissions harmful to air quality [1,2]. Similar sustainable transport promotion plans have been made in many other countries [4]. Pedestrians’ wintertime slipping and falling injuries are a very typical problem for the Nordic society, causing at worst long sick leaves and varying degrees of injuries, like bruises, sprains, and fractures [5–12]. The most common injuries due to falls and slipping are fractures of the wrists and ankles, concussions, and other head injuries [13,14]. Slips can be considered a major public health and economic problem [15]. Available online: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978952243155 (accessed on 24 February 2022)

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Conclusion