ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses trip and misstep scenarios resulting from unexpected changes in elevation along otherwise level walking paths. As the examples illustrate, such cases can occur both indoors and outdoors in and about all types of establishments, even at home. A great many falls result from trips or missteps on walking surfaces as a result of obstacles created in the built environment. Trips result whenever a raised obstacle in the pedestrian's path of travel suddenly arrests the forward momentum of the striding foot, while missteps occur when one is unknowingly stepping from a higher to a lower level in the walking path. Pedestrian routes exist everywhere people go and under all kinds of conditions. While walking, ordinary distractions are everywhere. People interacting with their companions, children, pets and other walkers; activity in the environment; vehicular and bicycle traffic; and weather conditions all may potentially distract pedestrians from noticing hazards in their path.
