Preference-based jogging route selection in downtown Tokyo

Abstract

ABSTRACT Jogging has become a popular urban outdoor recreational activity because it is inexpensive and easy. Although there are positive responses to leisure-route planning from many regions, the routes with features preferred by joggers are not commonly considered in urban planning. This article explores and evaluates methods for determining optimal urban jogging routes while considering joggers’ preferences. This study combines information about road width, green space, riverbank scenery, and various points of interest with jogging heat map data and uses a decision tree analysis to study joggers’ preferences. Next, routes with high potential considering three different patterns of points of interest and road width are selected using the vehicle routing problem analysis in ArcGIS. This method for preference-based route selection can be used to identify which links in urban road networks are attractive to runners and provide policymakers with useful information for designing built environments.