Inclusive Pedestrian Safety: Addressing the Needs of Blind and Non-Blind Pedestrians in 15-Minute Cities

Pedestrian safety is explored within the framework of 15 min cities, with a focus on behavioural differences between blind and sighted individuals. Utilising the pedestrian behaviour scale (PBS), self-reported pedestrian behaviours were analysed using a 5-point Likert scale. A sample of six blind pedestrians was compared with 502 sighted individuals, identifying distinct behavioural patterns across four dimensions: transgression, lapses, aggressive behaviours, and positive behaviours. It was found that blind pedestrians reported higher frequencies of positive behaviours and lower frequencies of aggressive behaviours, aligning with previous studies on vulnerable users. The small sample size of blind pedestrians limits statistical generalizability; however, the study highlights the need for inclusive infrastructure and targeted safety measures to mitigate risks for blind pedestrians in urban areas, particularly in the context of the 15 min city. The implications for policy and urban planning are discussed.