INFLUENCE OF PEDESTRIAN ATTRIBUTES ON WALKING SPEED AT BOTTLENECK OF BUS TERMINAL WALKWAY

Abstract

Walking speed, a fundamental aspect of transportation, varies across individuals and is influenced by factors such as age, gender, and environmental conditions. This study focuses on pedestrian behavior, particularly walking speed, at bottlenecks in Larkin Sentral bus terminal in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The country's lower average walking speed compared to other Asian nations underscores the need for efficient urban transportation planning. The objectives are to determine pedestrian walking speeds and explore the relationship between pedestrian attributes and walking speed. Data was collected using video recording at selected walkways during peak and non-peak hours. The analysis, conducted using Minitab software, reveals a mean walking speed of 0.80 m/s, influenced by factors such as age, gender, carrying bags, using phones, attire, and time. Correlation analysis indicates that time and phone usage significantly affect walking speed. This study contributes valuable insights for enhancing urban planning, emphasizing the impact of technology and time on pedestrian experiences at bus terminals. The implications for urban transportation planning are substantial, advocating for custom interventions in pedestrian-friendly designs at bus terminals. The study challenges assumptions, highlighting the need for nuanced understanding and further research to comprehend the complex dynamics shaping pedestrian behavior.