Built Environment Impact on Pedestrian Route Choice Behaviour: Shortest vs. Least Directional Change Routes

Abstract

This study investigates how students choose their walking routes to a university. Their observed walking routes were compared against the shortest path routes and against the least directional change routes. The urban design features (e.g. streets, benches, fountains, buildings) of these routes were also examined through physical and virtual (e.g. Google Earth image) surveys. The study reveals that students' route choice decision is highly influenced by street configuration – less directional changes are preferred over the shortest path distance – highlighting the need to design urban streets straighter to promote walking.