Pedestrian Environment Research Articles

Comprehensive walkability assessment of urban pedestrian environments using big data and deep learning techniques.

Assessing street walkability is a critical agenda in urban planning and multidisciplinary research, as it facilitates public health, community cohesion, and urban sustainability. Existing evaluation systems primarily focus on objective measurements, often neglecting subjective assessments and the diverse walking needs influenced by different urban spatial elements. This study addresses these gaps by constructing a comprehensive evaluation framework that integrates both subjective and objective dimensions, combining three neighbourhood indicators: Macro-Scale Index, Micro-Scale Index, and Street Walking Preferences Index. A normalization weighting method synthesizes these indicators into a comprehensive index. We applied this framework to assess the street environment within Beijing's Fifth Ring Road. The empirical results demonstrate that: (1) The framework reliably reflects the distribution of walkability. (2) The three indicators show both similarities and differences, underscoring the need to consider the distinct roles of community and street-level elements and the interaction between subjective and objective dimensions. (3) In high-density cities with ring-road development patterns, the Macro-Scale Index closely aligns with the Comprehensive Index, demonstrating its accuracy in reflecting walkability. The proposed framework and findings offer new insights for street walkability research and theoretical support for developing more inclusive, sustainable and walkable cities.

Architecture of transit spaces

The problem of modern cities is considered - the need to ensure efficient and comfortable movement of people and goods. With the development of transport, the issue of maintaining an attractive pedestrian environment arises. The concept of “architecture of transit spaces” and the role of transit routes in the planning structure of the city are revealed, and their diversity is examined. These spaces include various elements of urban infrastructure, pedestrian streets, boulevards, squares, underground passages, passages that provide connections between different parts of the city. The study identified four main groups of transit spaces: streets, bridges, covered walkways and temporary structures. Using the example of real objects, factors influencing the formation of transit routes, their scale and geometry, functional content and, as a result, the architecture itself are studied.

Developing Sidewalk Assessment Tool: Towards Evaluation of Pedestrian Environment in Urban Areas

Streets are one of the important means of transportation where sidewalks are one of their integral parts of which pedestrians are prime users. To plan for qualitative environment for pedestrians, existing sidewalk situations need to be assessed. In western countries several tools and models are developed for evaluation of sidewalks. However, most of these tools have neglected the importance of considering pedestrians’ perception in assessing Pedestrian Level of Service (PLOS) of sidewalks. A more accurate and sensitive tool would incorporate and account for the planning or improving of existing pedestrian environments in any city. The aim is to develop sidewalk assessment tool for evaluation of existing sidewalk environment from level of pedestrians’ satisfaction. This tool will help the municipal authorities to identify the sidewalk attributes that need to be measured, how to measure them and, finally, incorporating them into an appropriate assessment framework. The result of the study is interpreted in terms of Pedestrian Satisfaction Index defining PLOS and it contributes in identifying shortcomings of sidewalk attributes from pedestrians’ perspective.

IPA Analysis and optimization of pedestrian environment at railway stations in Guangdong-Hong Kong and Macao: An example of six typical stations

Due to the increasing urbanization and growing regional integration, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is progressively transforming into a globally recognized metropolitan cluster. Rail transit is an effective and eco-friendly kind of public transport that plays a crucial role in fostering regional economic connections and facilitating people's movement. It has become the primary option for inhabitants when it comes to travelling. This study examines the influence of the walking environment's quality on passenger travel experience (the overall satisfaction and comfort felt by passengers when walking in a rail station area), station attractiveness (the degree of attractiveness of a rail station to passengers, which is usually determined by a combination of a number of factors, such as accessibility, safety, and interest of the station area) , and the overall livability of the city (the overall quality of life that a rail station area provides to Residents, including the quality of the environment, infrastructure, public services) . It does so by analyzing the walking environments of six representative rail transit stations in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, using the Walking Demand Hierarchy Theory as a basis. The study employed the IPA model to evaluate 20 crucial characteristics of the pedestrian environment. The findings revealed variations in the performance of different stations with regard to accessibility, safety, identification, functionality, and enjoyment. The differences provide a reference point for further optimizing the pedestrian environment in the Greater Bay Area rail station areas.

Law’s role in fostering inclusive and accessible pedestrian environments: insights from a multinational study

Law’s role in fostering inclusive and accessible pedestrian environments: insights from a multinational study This project aims to strengthen initiatives to use law, policy and awareness-raising to enhance the accessibility of city streets, particularly for disabled and older pedestrians. It focuses on five countries and, within each of them, two cities. It draws on law/policy analysis, qualitative data from interviews and street-filming with city-based pedestrians, and interviews with national stakeholders.

Prudent behavior of young pedestrians: What are the determinants?

Every year, more than three hundred thousand pedestrians die on roads worldwide, with road traffic injuries the leading cause of death for young less than 30. Since pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users, they often behave cautiously, especially in contexts that are aggressive toward them. In contrast, other pedestrians are less cautious and engage in riskier behavior. This study assesses the factors determining prudent young pedestrian behavior in Barranquilla, Colombia, an aggressive environment for active modes. A survey (n = 988) was designed to collect information on young individuals’ socioeconomic characteristics, knowledge of traffic rules, prudent pedestrian behavior, and affinity for walking. The analysis was conducted using a Structural Equation Model. Results suggest that young pedestrians’ prudent behavior is influenced by gender (women behave more prudent than men), attitudes in favor of walking (people more attuned to walking are less cautious), and proper knowledge of traffic norms (those with a better understanding of traffic rules are more prudent when walking). The results highlight the need to study young pedestrians’ behavior and risk perception. Policy implications for providing safer pedestrian environments and reducing risky behaviors are discussed based on the findings.

Multiscale Analysis of Pedestrian Crossing Distance

Problem, research strategy, and findings Crossing distance is considered a factor in both pedestrian safety and behavior. However, it has seldom been quantified within or across entire cities or related to walking outcomes. Combining data encoded in OpenStreetMap and drawn from high-resolution satellite imagery, we measured formal pedestrian crossings throughout a dense European city (Paris [France]), a dense American city (San Francisco [CA]), and a less-dense, more car-centric American city (Irvine [CA]). This granular approach—covering roughly 49,000 total crossings—identified inter- and intraurban spatial patterns in the distribution of pedestrian crossing distance, including clusters of long crossings that likely deter walking and increase its risk. By overlaying recent pedestrian–vehicle collisions on these novel data sets we found that longer crossing distance correlated with increased likelihood of collisions, raising the salience of traffic-calming interventions. Takeaway for practice Quantifying pedestrian crossing distance at the scale of entire municipalities empowers transportation planners to identify pedestrian-hostile crossings (individuals and clusters), add context to collision trends, and geographically target locations for traffic calming. These cases collectively demonstrate how the increasing prioritization of the automobile in city planning quantitatively changes (and degrades) the pedestrian environment, as well as how low-tech investments, such as sidewalk extensions and refuge islands, can mitigate these trends.

Past, Present, and Future Perspectives on the Integration of AI Into Walkability Assessment Tools: A Systematic Review

This study employs a systematic literature review (PRISMA methodology) to investigate the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in walkability assessments conducted between 2012 and 2022. Analyzing 34 articles exploring data types, factors, and AI tools, the review emphasizes the value of utilizing diverse datasets, particularly street view images, to train supersized AI models. This approach fosters efficient, unbiased assessments and offers deep insights into pedestrian environment interactions. Furthermore, AI tools empower walkability assessment by facilitating mapping, scoring, designing pedestrian routes, and uncovering previously unconsidered factors. The current shift from large-scale spatial data analysis (allocentric perspective) to a ground-level view (egocentric perspective) and physical and perceptual features of walking introduces a subjective lens into current walkability assessment tools. However, the efficacy of current methods in addressing non-visual aspects of human perception and their applicability across diverse demographics remains debatable. Finally, the lack of integration of emerging technologies like virtual/augmented reality and digital twin leaves a significant gap in research, inviting further study to determine their efficacy in enhancing the current methods and, in general, understanding the interaction of humans and cities.

Exploring the opportunities for biophilic design application in urban pedestrian environments in China under the context of climate change: a perspective of affective experience

Exploring the opportunities for biophilic design application in urban pedestrian environments in China under the context of climate change: a perspective of affective experience

Correlation Analysis between Walking Permeability and Walking Effort (Case Study Terminals in Bandung City)

Abstract Bandung was chosen as a pilot area for Indonesian Mass Transit (MASTRAN) project to increase urban mobility and accessibility. With this MASTRAN project, public transportation nodes should be accessible by all modes, one of which is walking. However, in urban areas in Indonesia, walking activities are still not an option. According to some studies, this is caused by the lack of walking infrastructure and environment feasibility. Therefore, the quality of pedestrian infrastructure and environment must be improved to make these public transportation nodes easy for pedestrians to reach. In this case, walking permeability and walking effort assessment are chosen as tools to assess the pedestrian walkability. By doing these assessments, it is found that Kiaracondong Station has the largest average WPDI and WPTI values with values of 1.48 and 1.90 respectively. In addition, it is found that The South Bandung Station has the biggest walking effort index which value is 1.66. By analyzing both assessments, it can be concluded that the increase of WPDI tends to increase WPTI. Besides, it also can be concluded that stations have higher time increments than bus terminals due to an increase in the distance required for pedestrian access to the main terminal entrance.

Environmental Perception about Pedestrian Environment on Cultural Visitation Roads

Cultural visitation routes represent an important opportunity for the public display of the famous historical and cultural city of Beijing, and its pedestrian environment, as a linear spatial carrier linking various historical and cultural attractions, is of great significance for the preservation of the famous historical and cultural city of Beijing through analysis of its spatial quality. At present, Beijing’s cultural visitation routes are in the stage of exploration and improvement, and scholars mainly focus on the selection, integration, and construction of cultural visitation routes in their research on cultural visitation routes, while the amount of research on the quality of the pedestrian environment for visitors is relatively small; in particular, the evaluation methods and indicator systems are still in the exploration stage. In this study, from the perspective of environmental behaviour theory, we took the Forbidden City–The Red House of Peking University–Wangfujing cultural visitation route as the research object and constructed a structural equation model to determine the perception of the pedestrian environment quality of the cultural visitation route in Beijing, starting from the visitors’ feelings of the pedestrian environment of the cultural visiting route. This study found that there is a positive correlation between the quality of spatial behaviours, the quality of the pedestrian environment, and the quality of the facilities on the emotional response of the visitors, with the quality of the facilities having the greatest impact on the emotional response of the visitors; among the observational variables, cultural and scientific facilities, spatial landscapes, street furniture, and safety play a more obvious role, and they are the main factors affecting the emotional response of the visitors. Based on the results of this study, an optimisation strategy for enhancing the pedestrian environments of Beijing’s cultural visitation routes is proposed to provide a reference for their design and optimisation.

Meteorological gaps in audits of pedestrian environments: a scoping review

BackgroundWeather and season are determinants of physical activity. Therefore, it is important to ensure built environments are designed to mitigate negative impacts of weather and season on pedestrians to prevent these losses. This scoping review aims to identify built environment audits of pedestrian environments developed for use during a specific weather condition or season. Secondly, this review aims to investigate gaps in the inclusion of relevant weather mitigating built environment features in pedestrian environment audit tools.MethodsFollowing a standard protocol, a systematic search was executed in CINAHL, Medline and Web of Science to identify built environment audit tools of pedestrian spaces. These databases were chosen since they are well-known to comprehensively cover health as well as multi-disciplinary research publications relevant to health. Studies were screened, and data were extracted from selected documents by two independent reviewers (e.g., psychometric properties and audit items included). Audit items were screened for the inclusion of weather mitigating built environment features, and the tool’s capacity to measure temperature, precipitation, seasonal and sustainability impacts on pedestrians was calculated.ResultsThe search returned 2823 documents. After screening and full text review, 27 articles were included. No tool was found that was developed specifically for use during a specific weather condition or season. Additionally, gaps in the inclusion of weather mitigating items were found for all review dimensions (thermal comfort, precipitation, seasonal, and sustainability items). Poorly covered items were: (1) thermal comfort related (arctic entry presence, materials, textures, and colours of buildings, roads, sidewalk and furniture, and green design features); (2) precipitation related (drain presence, ditch presence, hazards, and snow removal features); (3) seasonal features (amenities, pedestrian scale lighting, and winter destinations and aesthetics); and (4) sustainability features (electric vehicle charging stations, renewable energy, car share, and bike share facilities).ConclusionsCurrent built environment audit tools do not adequately include weather / season mitigating items. This is a limitation as it is important to investigate if the inclusion of these items in pedestrian spaces can promote physical activity during adverse weather conditions. Because climate change is causing increased extreme weather events, a need exists for the development of a new built environment audit tool that includes relevant weather mitigating features.

The impact of twisted wind on pedestrian comfort around two non-identical-height buildings in tandem arrangement: a wind tunnel study

Due to the impact of urbanization, an increasing number of buildings are being constructed near hilly terrains because of the limited availability of land resources. The influence of twisted wind profile (TWP) on pedestrian-level wind comfort surrounding two tandem non-identical-height buildings, with a height ratio H1/H2 ranging from 3:1 to 1:0.33, was investigated by wind tunnel experiment with two twist angles (13 ° and 25 °), and compared with the conventional wind profile (CWP). The assessment of thermal comfort was based on Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) using wind velocity measured from the wind tunnel and observation results. Both the mean and gust wind velocities were investigated and compared with wind assessment criteria. The results reveal a significant disparity in the mean and gust wind fields for various H1/H2 under both CWP and TWPs, with the influence of twist being more pronounced for step-up building configuration (H1<H2). The influence of TWPs on the low wind velocity region demonstrated contrasting patterns for buildings with step-up and step-down configurations. The pedestrian level wind environment varies significantly with H1/H2 under CWP and TWPs in the passage between the two tandem buildings, categorized as “Sitting long” for identical-height buildings and modified to “Strolling” and “Walking fast” for step-up building configuration. The twisted wind shifts the “Sitting short” area toward the direction of the approaching twisted wind flow and amplifies the “Strolling” area on the other side. The twisted wind can diminish the thermal comfort surrounding the two tandem structures during summer while enhancing the thermal environment in winter.

Developing a Methodology to Assess Pedestrian Walkability in the City Markets Using Multi-Attribute Decision-Making Techniques

City markets are one of the busiest urban areas in India and experience heavy pedestrian footfall. This study uses multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) techniques to rank market roads based on the existing condition of pedestrian infrastructure. A set of seven key attributes was identified containing 28 sub-attributes influencing pedestrian walkability. Videography and photographic surveys were conducted at selected roads of Aminabad Market (AM) in Lucknow, and Silchar Market (SM) in Silchar. Attribute weights were calculated using the entropy weight method, and the roads were ranked using the analytical hierarchy process, the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution, and a novel walkability metric called the Market Walkability Index. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was found to be more than 0.9 among all three methods, indicating conformity in ranking. Internal or minor roads of both the market areas (AM and SM) were observed to be the most used roads of the market areas for pedestrian movement. Still, they were not safe and walkable for pedestrian movement, indicating that more emphasis is required on these roads to improve the overall quality of the pedestrian walking environment. Research findings are expected to be essential inputs for rational decision-making about pedestrian infrastructure improvement in developing countries, which could contribute to a safer and more efficient environment for pedestrian movement.

Enhancing Pedestrian Safety by Providing a LiDAR-Based Analysis of Jaywalking Conflicts at Signalized Intersections

Motives: In response to the inherent vulnerability of pedestrians in urban settings, this paper is driven by a commitment to enhancing their mobility and safety. Recognizing the prevalence of jaywalking as a significant concern, the study seeks practical solutions through the application of LiDAR sensors at signalized intersections. By delving into the complexities of jaywalking events and their contributing factors, the research aims to provide valuable insights that extend beyond mere statistical analysis. The motivations behind this endeavour lie in the imperative to comprehensively understand and address the risks associated with jaywalking, ultimately fostering a safer environment for pedestrians navigating urban crossroads. Aim: The primary aim of this paper is to assess and analyse the diverse factors influencing the frequency of jaywalking at signalized intersections, leveraging the capabilities of LiDAR sensors for safety applications. Through a meticulous examination of 1000 jaywalking events detected over a six-month period, the study aims to pinpoint highly correlated independent variables to the frequency of jaywalking events. These variables include traffic signal controller patterns, signal phases, vehicle-pedestrian conflicts, weather conditions, vehicle volume, walking patterns toward the median, pedestrian volume, and the unique jaywalker’s ratio. Employing advanced statistical regression models, the research seeks to identify optimal models and unravel key insights into the nuanced dynamics of jaywalking behaviour. The overarching goal is to equip decision-makers and transportation specialists with data-driven knowledge, enabling them to implement targeted safety measures that mitigate pedestrian risks and enhance safety infrastructure at critical urban crossroads. Results: The outcomes of the study, derived from the optimal Poisson regression model, yield crucial insights into the multifaceted nature of jaywalking events at signalized intersections. The morning and mid-day signal controller patterns exhibit a substantial decrease of 44.7% and 34.4%, respectively, compared to the evening (PM) pattern, shedding light on temporal nuances in jaywalking behaviour. Additionally, the severity of vehicle-pedestrian conflicts escalates proportionally with the number of jaywalkers, emphasizing the importance of addressing pedestrian flow in mitigating potential conflicts. Notably, the presence of vegetation in the median emerges as a significant factor, significantly increasing the frequency of jaywalking. These results contribute to a nuanced understanding of the intricate interplay between environmental, temporal, and behavioural factors in jaywalking incidents. Decision-makers and transportation specialists can leverage these findings to formulate targeted safety interventions, fostering a safer pedestrian experience at crucial urban crossroads

Small Autonomous Vehicles in Pedestrian Contexts: A First Analysis of Logistics Performances in Terms of Commercial Speed

There is a lot of talk about autonomous vehicles, and Europe is very much focusing on their use and deployment. However, the field use of these vehicles is still very limited. The proposed research refers to a specific category of autonomous vehicles, that is, small ground autonomous vehicles circulating in pedestrian environments, with a focus on their use in operating logistical services. More precisely, this paper presents data collected during a challenging experiment carried out in the city of Trikala, Greece, in the context of the major European project “SHOW”. A statistical analysis of these sampled data concerning service times, in terms of commercial speed, for collecting organic waste from cafeterias is presented. The aim of this paper is to verify whether data collected from autonomous vehicles used for this service are reliable and whether accurate estimates can be derived from these data to be used as standard parameters of these vehicles. For these reasons, we analyze the operational performance of the service performed by small autonomous vehicles, with particular attention to the interactions between them and pedestrians and the ability of users to load and unload small vehicles. More precisely, we verify whether there is an adaptation period in which human–vehicle interactions become smoother and whether commercial speed varies at different times of day, that is, if there are peak periods in which droid speed is limited because of the intensity of interactions with pedestrians. A statistical analysis of these data is proposed to find answers to these research questions. It made it possible to highlight an adaptation curve of humans to droids and that no peak periods emerged where droid speed was limited because of the intensity of interactions with pedestrians. This result is probably related to the fact that stability of service operation was not achieved. Had the period of experimentation been extended, it would probably have been possible to identify peak and off-peak periods and the relative commercial speeds. However, it is important to note that the achievement of service operation stability takes a long time. The results obtained are interesting and contribute to the current state of knowledge. In fact, data analyzed here are collected on public land, refer to interactions that take place between small autonomous ground vehicles and a heterogeneous population, and therefore constitute a starting point for the development of technologies that facilitate human–driver interactions and thus lead to an improvement in the performance of sustainable logistics services managed by autonomous vehicles and facilitate their dissemination.

Analysis of a Hybrid Model of Automated Vehicle Safety System Consists of Rain Sensor-Controlled Wiper and Ultrasonic Sensor-Based Auto-Braking System

This paper presents an analysis of a novel hybrid model integrating two crucial safety features in modern vehicles: a Rain Sensor-Controlled Wiper (RSCW) and an Ultrasonic Sensor-Based Auto-Braking System (US-ABS) using Arduino UNO micro-controller. The integration of these systems aims to enhance vehicle safety by addressing two critical aspects: visibility during adverse weather conditions and collision avoidance through automated braking mechanisms. The Rain Sensor-Controlled Wiper (RSCW) component utilizes advanced sensor technology to detect precipitation on the vehicle's windshield accurately. Upon detection, the system automatically activates the wiper mechanism, tuning the wiper speed and frequency according to the amount of rainfall. By ensuring optimal visibility, the RSCW system significantly reduces the possibility of mishaps brought on by vision impairment due to rain, snow, or other weather phenomena. Complementing the RSCW, the Ultrasonic Sensor-Based Auto-Braking System (US-ABS) serves as a proactive safety measure to prevent collisions. Employing ultrasonic sensors strategically positioned around the vehicle, the US-ABS continuously monitors the surrounding environment for obstacles, vehicles, or pedestrians. When an imminent collision risk is detected, the system triggers automatic braking interventions to mitigate or entirely prevent potential accidents. In this analysis, we evaluate the effectiveness of the hybrid model by considering various factors, including accuracy, response time, and real-world performance. We have explored potential synergies between the RSCW and US-ABS components, assessing how their integration can further improve overall safety and reliability.

Pedestrian-level wind environment surrounding two tandem non-identical height elevated buildings under the influence of twisted wind flows

The wind direction in urban areas characterized by hilly topography, such as Hong Kong, exhibits vertical variation along the wind profiles and exerts a significant influence on the pedestrian wind environment. This study investigated two tandem buildings with varying relative height differences (HUB/HDB) ranging from 3:1 to 0.33:1 and different elevated structure locations under twisted angles of 13° and 25°, along with their corresponding conventional wind fields by wind tunnel experiment. The findings demonstrate that the relative height differences between up- and downstream buildings significantly alter the flow field around two tandem-arranged structures. The step-up building configurations (HUB<HDB) exhibit heightened sensitivity to twist wind profiles, resulting in larger deviation angles (θ) of downstream low wind velocity (DSLWV) zones. Step-down building configurations (HUB>HDB) are relatively insensitive to the twisted wind profile. The presence of a downstream building with an elevated structure diminishes the extent of the low wind velocity (LWV) area by eliminating the near field low wind velocity (NFLWV) region while rendering the elevated building more susceptible to twist winds than non-elevated buildings. The findings provide valuable insights into the rational use of elevated buildings in mountainous regions.

Enhancing the Accessibility of Pedestrian Environments: Critical Reflections on the Role of the Public Sector Equality Duty

Enhancing the Accessibility of Pedestrian Environments: Critical Reflections on the Role of the Public Sector Equality Duty

Optimization of Traffic Safety for Motorists with Raised Intersection Design at Intersection in DKI Jakarta

Urbanization trends, coupled with the proliferation of motor vehicles, have led to escalating environmental challenges like congestion and pollution. Sustainable transportation systems are increasingly imperative to address these issues, necessitating pedestrian-friendly urban environments to promote sustainable mobility. However, escalating traffic density poses serious safety concerns for pedestrians, exacerbated by improper use of pedestrian facilities. Statistical data underscores the vulnerability of pedestrians, with a notable percentage of traffic fatalities attributed to pedestrian accidents. To mitigate these risks, enhancing pedestrian safety through various measures, including raised crosswalks, has garnered attention. Raised crosswalks offer promising potential to improve pedestrian safety by influencing driver behavior and enhancing pedestrian visibility. This research aims to explore the impact of raised crosswalks on traffic safety in Indonesian urban environments. Through quantitative analysis and video observation, the study evaluates the effectiveness of raised crosswalks in enhancing safety and traffic compliance at intersections. The findings reveal varying severity levels of near-miss accidents, suggesting targeted risk mitigation strategies. Regression analysis indicates a substantial reduction in vehicle speed post-implementation, although other influencing factors persist. Moreover, Cost-Benefit Analysis underscores the financial viability of pedestrian crossing enhancements, emphasizing the potential for significant gains. Ultimately, this research contributes empirical insights to inform policy formulation and infrastructure design, facilitating safer and more sustainable pedestrian environments in Indonesian urban areas.