Seven out of ten people from groups with limited mobility in Chișinău do not feel safe, and some even experience danger, when moving around the city or, especially, when crossing the street. This is one of the findings of the study “Identifying the needs of people from groups with limited mobility regarding the safety of street crossings in Chișinău”, recently carried out by the Automobile Club of Moldova (ACM), together with experts from the Center for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the company Universal Access.

The study included 100 people with limited mobility from Chișinău, of whom 46% were persons with disabilities, 36% were parents with young children, and 15% were elderly people. The objective of the study was to assess the safety of pedestrian mobility for people from groups with limited mobility in Chișinău and to develop recommendations for the relevant authorities. When asked whether they feel at risk when crossing the street, 72% of participants said they feel unsafe or even in danger. Only 28% of respondents stated that they experience a medium level of safety when crossing the street.

One of the main problems faced by people from groups with limited mobility when crossing the street or moving around the city is driver behavior. 48% blamed drivers, noting that they often do not pay attention to pedestrians, speed at pedestrian crossings, fail to yield even when pedestrians are already on the crosswalk, and sometimes behave aggressively.

Other factors that generate insecurity for people with limited mobility when navigating the streets of Chișinău include: the green light at traffic signals being too short; inaccessible underpasses; cars parked on sidewalks or blocking ramps; uneven pavements and potholes; obstacles on pedestrian paths; lack of tactile paving and contrasting markings, and more.

As part of the research, participants were asked to name the intersections they considered most problematic in terms of safety and accessibility. They pointed to streets with long pedestrian crossings, multiple traffic lanes, and crosswalks without audible traffic signals. 12% of respondents specifically mentioned Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard, while 10% referred to Chișinău’s main roads: Ismail Street, București Street, and Dacia and D. Cantemir Boulevards, among others.

The research participants also came forward with recommendations for improving pedestrian safety at intersections. 95% believe it is necessary to install ramps and lower curbs at pedestrian crossings. 89% of respondents from groups with limited mobility recommended installing more audible traffic signals, while 67% suggested adding tactile paving at crosswalks.

The study was carried out within the project “Equal Road Rights”, implemented by the Automobile Club of Moldova (ACM) in partnership with UNIVERSAL ACCES S.R.L., the Center for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Chișinău Municipality, with financial support from the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the FIA Foundation, and the Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport (EASST).

As part of the planned activities for 2020, the implementing partners installed 10 audible traffic signals at three busy intersections in the city, most frequently used by people with reduced mobility. Based on suggestions from the study participants, the following streets were selected for the installations: Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard, intersection with Pușkin Street – 2 units; the connection of Nicolae Zelinski and Hristo Botev Streets with Dacia Boulevard – 2 units; and Ismail Street, intersection with Mitropolit Varlaam Street – 6 units.

Among the actions planned within the “Equal Road Rights” project are: conducting road safety trainings and meetings with project beneficiaries; organizing public awareness and information campaigns; and ongoing cooperation with local authorities to improve pedestrian crossings, taking into account the safety measures needed for people with limited mobility.