Factor Structure Analysis for Pedestrian Level of Service Assessment using Structural Equation Modelling

Abstract

Pedestrian facilities are aimed at providing proper walking infrastructure and environment to promote walking in cities and needs to serve the desired requirements of users. It is important to assess the level of service (LOS) provided by such facilities. Various guidelines are available for assessing LOS of sidewalks, midblock crossings and pedestrians walking along the carriageway. However, the guidelines and factors considered for assessment are diverse and no single guideline is available that comprehensively takes into account all variables relevant for both sidewalks and crossings and for mixed land use settings.
 This work thus attempts to identify factors and their underlying variables and also the relative importance of the factors in determining LOS of pedestrian facilities in mixed land use areas. For this purpose, the study systematically identifies a comprehensive list of 20 important variables associated with LOS assessment for pedestrian facilities from literature. A survey was conducted of a heterogeneous group of 720 pedestrians from Patna, India to find importance perceptions of all the above identified variables. The important factors and their significant underlying variables were then identified using Exploratory Factor Analysis and the factor structure was confirmed using Structural Equation Model using survey data. Five factors namely Infrastructure, Crossing issues, Security, Sidewalk encroachments and Safety were identified with 13 significant underlying variables. It was observed that the crossing facility conditions predominantly influence the perception of LOS of pedestrian facilities. The findings of the study can be used by urban planners in focusing their improvement efforts for pedestrian facilities.