Pedestrian Mobility Research Articles

A sidewalk-level urban heat risk assessment framework using pedestrian mobility and urban microclimate modeling

Climate change and the associated increase in heat-related hazards pose a pressing threat to urban residents’ health and well-being. People, when walking in particular, are at risk of experiencing heat stress as they navigate urban environments. This study proposes a novel heat risk assessment framework combining pedestrian mobility modeling with urban microclimate modeling. Using this framework, we assessed pedestrian heat-related exposure and risk in urban areas by integrating the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) as the hazard and pedestrian trips to critical destinations as exposure. We considered temporal variation, in both hazard and exposure, by examining different time periods during the day—morning peak, midday, and evening peak. In addition to hazard and exposure, we also considered vulnerability by focusing on young children and older adults. We contribute to improving the spatial resolution of heat risk assessment by analyzing the hazard for pedestrian trips between home locations and five critical destinations—bus stops, rail stations, parks, schools, and commercial amenities—at the address-point level and using a pedestrian network comprising sidewalks and crosswalks. Our framework helps identify sidewalks with high heat exposure levels as well as home locations with high cumulative heat risk, accounting for walking trips to critical destinations along feasible routes. We demonstrated the effectiveness of this framework by applying it to a 36-square-kilometer area of central Los Angeles, CA. Our findings offer valuable information to urban planners and policy-makers, supporting evidence-based prioritization of intervention sites, climate adaptation strategies, and policy decisions essential for climate-proof planning. By implementing targeted interventions in areas where heat hazard is expected to affect the most vulnerable pedestrians, planners can create heat-resilient, pedestrian-friendly environments while prioritizing the health and well-being of vulnerable groups. This study contributes to the growing knowledge of robust risk assessment methodologies for climate-proof planning, specifically with regard to addressing outdoor heat-related risks during extreme heat events.

Analyzing the Requirements for Smart Pedestrian Applications: Findings from Nicosia, Cyprus

This paper elicits and analyzes the main requirements for Smart Pedestrian applications designed to enhance the pedestrian experience in urban environments by offering optimized walking routes, improved accessibility, and support for social inclusion and connectivity. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines qualitative insights with quantitative data analysis based on surveys conducted in two strategically selected urban areas of Nicosia, Cyprus. Through the survey, the requirements and potential use of Smart Pedestrian apps are investigated while accounting for the quality of service of the urban infrastructure in a medium-sized city context. Additionally, the study contrasts the current smartphone applications, as they predominantly facilitate vehicular transportation, with the potential use of ICT/ITS to support pedestrians for sustainable mobility. The findings reveal a significant demand for a Pedestrian Smartphone app, driven by its ability to provide relevant information on optimum pedestrian routes, as well as act as a citizen’s voice for spotting infrastructure problems and improving the pedestrian network. Further, it is also revealed that limitations in the pedestrian infrastructure substantially restrict walking preferences, emphasizing the need for urgent city-level urban planning solutions to support active mobility. Additionally, the research carried out underscores the importance of a sustainable business model to support the successful deployment of Smart Pedestrian apps. Ultimately, the results of the study suggest prioritizing a smart technology leverage with a crowdsourcing social network business model to promote pedestrian mobility, thereby reducing vehicular dependence, enhancing public health, and improving the quality of life. Such an approach would act as catalyst for policymakers to concentrate on sustainability by investing in digital technology for integrated pedestrian networks, fostering the emergence of genuine smart cities.

Using ranging for collision-immune IEEE 802.11 rate selection with statistical learning

Appropriate data rate selection at the physical layer is crucial for Wi-Fi network performance: too high rates lead to loss of data frames, while too low rates cause increased latency and inefficient channel use. Most existing methods adopt a probing approach and empirically assess the transmission success probability for each available rate. However, a transmission failure can also be caused by frame collisions. Thus, each collision leads to an unnecessary decrease in the data rate. We avoid this issue by resorting to the fine timing measurement (FTM) procedure, part of IEEE 802.11, which allows stations to perform ranging, i.e., measure their spatial distance to the AP. Since distance is not affected by sporadic distortions such as internal and external channel interference, we use this knowledge for data rate selection. Specifically, we propose FTMRate, which applies statistical learning (a form of machine learning) to estimate the distance based on measurements, predicts channel quality from the distance, and selects data rates based on channel quality. We define three distinct estimation approaches: exponential smoothing, Kalman filter, and particle filter. Then, with a thorough performance evaluation using simulations and an experimental validation with real-world devices, we show that our approach has several positive features: it is resilient to collisions, provides near-instantaneous convergence, is compatible with commercial-off-the-shelf devices, and supports pedestrian mobility. Thanks to these features, FTMRate outperforms existing solutions in a variety of line-of-sight scenarios, providing close to optimal results. Additionally, we introduce Hybrid FTMRate, which can intelligently fall back to a probing-based approach to cover non-line-of-sight cases. Finally, we discuss the applicability of the method and its usefulness in various scenarios.

Methodology for Identifying Optimal Pedestrian Paths in an Urban Environment: A Case Study of a School Environment in A Coruña, Spain

Improving urban mobility, especially pedestrian mobility, is a current challenge in virtually every city worldwide. To calculate the least-cost paths and safer, more efficient routes, it is necessary to understand the geometry of streets and their various elements accurately. In this study, we propose a semi-automatic methodology to assess the capacity of urban spaces to enable adequate pedestrian mobility. We employ various data sources, but primarily point clouds obtained through a mobile laser scanner (MLS), which provide a wealth of highly detailed information about the geometry of street elements. Our method allows us to characterize preferred pedestrian-traffic zones by segmenting crosswalks, delineating sidewalks, and identifying obstacles and impediments to walking in urban routes. Subsequently, we generate different displacement cost surfaces and identify the least-cost origin–destination paths. All these factors enable a detailed pedestrian mobility analysis, yielding results on a raster with a ground sampling distance (GSD) of 10 cm/pix. The method is validated through its application in a case study analyzing pedestrian mobility around an educational center in a purely urban area of A Coruña (Galicia, Spain). The segmentation model successfully identified all pedestrian crossings in the study area without false positives. Additionally, obstacle segmentation effectively identified urban elements and parked vehicles, providing crucial information to generate precise friction surfaces reflecting real environmental conditions. Furthermore, the generation of cumulative displacement cost surfaces allowed for identifying optimal routes for pedestrian movement, considering the presence of obstacles and the availability of traversable spaces. These surfaces provided a detailed representation of pedestrian mobility, highlighting significant variations in travel times, especially in areas with high obstacle density, where differences of up to 15% were observed. These results underscore the importance of considering obstacles’ existence and location when planning pedestrian routes, which can significantly influence travel times and route selection. We consider the capability to generate accurate cumulative cost surfaces to be a significant advantage, as it enables urban planners and local authorities to make informed decisions regarding the improvement of pedestrian infrastructure.

Video Analytics for Understanding Pedestrian Mobility Patterns in Public Spaces: The Case of Milan

Video Analytics for Understanding Pedestrian Mobility Patterns in Public Spaces: The Case of Milan

Urban Pedestrian Routes' Accessibility Assessment Using Geographic Information System Processing and Deep Learning-Based Object Detection.

The need to establish safe, accessible, and inclusive pedestrian routes is considered one of the European Union's main priorities. We have developed a method of assessing pedestrian mobility in the surroundings of urban public buildings to evaluate the level of accessibility and inclusion, especially for people with reduced mobility. In the first stage of assessment, artificial intelligence algorithms were used to identify pedestrian crossings and the precise geographical location was determined by deep learning-based object detection with satellite or aerial orthoimagery. In the second stage, Geographic Information System techniques were used to create network models. This approach enabled the verification of the level of accessibility for wheelchair users in the selected study area and the identification of the most suitable route for wheelchair transit between two points of interest. The data obtained were verified using inertial sensors to corroborate the horizontal continuity of the routes. The study findings are of direct benefit to the users of these routes and are also valuable for the entities responsible for ensuring and maintaining the accessibility of pedestrian routes.

ESTUDO DE TRÁFEGO DE VEÍCULOS, INTERVENÇÕES DE SINALIZAÇÕES E URBANISMO TÁTICO NO ENTORNO DO HOSPITAL DA VIDA COMO POLO GERADOR DE VIAGENS

Trip Generating Developments (TGDs) have an influence on traffic in their location and are directly linked to the lack of control in the mobility of vehicles and pedestrians in the location, if their implementation is not properly planned. The objective of this work was to study traffic and conditions around Hospital da Vida (HV), located in the center Dourados-MS, as a Hospital PGV and propose safe mobility to the location. The study was developed with a bibliographical analysis of the topic, data relating to accidents and mobility in the region with local authorities, vehicle and pedestrian counts and on-site visits were also carried out. According to the data obtained, it was shown that HV has a high complexity/cost service, serving 33 municipalities in the region. According to data from counts carried out at the intersection of Toshinobu Katayama Street and Ciro Melo Street in Dourados-MS, a high flow of vehicles was noted, represented mainly by cars, as well as a high flow of pedestrians. In 500 meter radius studied had noticed the highest rate of accidents at the site in 2023, since 2020. Therefore, it was possible to note that the existing signs do not include safe mobility in the study site, with solutions being proposed using tactical urbanism and reinforcement of horizontal and vertical signs, with the aim of increasing safety and helping pedestrians stay and coexist.

Pedestrian mobility and University campus accessibility: an analysis of student preferences

Prioritizing pedestrian mobility is crucial to foster urban liveability and sustainability, particularly on university campuses that are experienced by students. This paper examines the University of Catania (Italy) campus, a significant open space facing accessibility challenges. Two surveys were conducted within a Living Lab framework to assess student opinions on campus walking experiences and identify key criteria for promoting walking to and within the campus. The Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) algorithm and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) were chosen for the analysis, deriving insights for policy-makers and mobility managers to enhance accessibility and encourage active mobility. The specific case study demonstrates the importance of creating pedestrian-friendly environments to foster sustainable lifestyles by addressing accessibility barriers in large open spaces. However, this research provides a wider framework which is applicable to urban planning in similar contexts, emphasizing the pivotal role of pedestrian-centric design in creating vibrant and sustainable university environments.

Pedestrian injury severities resulting from vehicle/pedestrian intersection crashes: An assessment of COVID-contributing temporal shifts

Pedestrian mobility has become an increasingly important concern in transportation system analysis because of its positive impacts on the environment and healthy lifestyles. However, pedestrian safety in a vehicle-dominated transportation network remains a concern and potential barrier to pedestrian mobility, with pedestrian intersection safety being of particular concern. In addition, it is important to understand how pedestrian safety has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps permanently shifting pedestrian injury risks. This research seeks to provide insight into how pedestrian injury risks at intersections have changed as a result of the pandemic by estimating a series pedestrian injury severity models. To do so, unconstrained and partially constrained random parameters multinomial logit models with heterogeneity in the means of random parameters were estimated. Using Florida data, two one-year periods (one year before and one year after the COVID-19 pandemic) were defined based on vehicle miles traveled. The sample includes 3,780 single pedestrian-single vehicle crashes (2,348 from daytime and 1,432 from nighttime). A broad range of variables was considered to assess how the parameters may have shifted between the before and after periods. A series of likelihood ratio tests were conducted to examine the stability of model parameter estimates across the predefined time periods as well as to determine the differences between the daytime and nighttime crash injury severity outcomes. The results show that the nighttime crashes experienced more temporal shifts relative to daytime crashes. The findings also showed that both pedestrian and driver behavior played key temporally-shifting roles before and after the COVID-19 pandemic period. Finally, the out-of-sample simulations suggest that pedestrian injuries have become more severe after the pandemic.

AGENT-BASED MODELING OF UP DILIMAN INTRACAMPUS PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY USING NETLOGO AND GIS

Abstract. In the Philippines, campus mobility studies remain underexplored. Since small-scale models help in policy making that may also be applied in a large spatiotemporal context, intracampus mobility modeling and simulation offer support for future mobility research. In this study, we designed a NetLogo model to apply ABM and GIS in understanding intracampus student pedestrian mobility. We created a deterministic model using discrete student schedule and a probabilistic model using the multinomial logistic (MNL) regression model derived from the student demographics data to analyze student movement. To provide a realistic representation of student pedestrians and campus environment, GIS spatiotemporal data was proven crucial to the pedestrian mobility models. The generated pedestrian count heatmaps show a significant increase in student count from online learning switching to face–to–face instruction. The overall campus building occupancy served as the key factor influencing the changes in agent behaviors such as walking speed and student tardiness. Moreover, the probabilistic model showed erratic movements of students. The model evaluation depends on the heavily imbalanced datasets and its multiclass nature with relatively higher model performance (F1 score > 0.8) is observed during morning, noon, and end schedule times, whereas suboptimal performance (F1 score < 0.6) where the dataset has a higher number of classes. The simulations demonstrate that ABM is a useful tool for examining pedestrian and transport patterns and can be enhanced further to allow multimodal and multiagent systems.

Pedestrian-oriented development in Beirut: A framework for estimating urban design impacts on pedestrian flows through modeling, participatory design, and scenario analysis

As municipalities are setting ambitious targets to increase non-motorized transportation mode shares, analytic frameworks for examining how such targets will be met become increasingly important. In this article, we update the Urban Network Analysis pedestrian modeling framework designed to link land use and urban development changes with pedestrian mobility outcomes by introducing new methods for capturing the effects of street properties on pedestrian travel demand and adjusting pedestrian trip generation rates with k-nearest accessibility scores based on destination availability in each context. This framework was used in conjunction with a participatory design process in Beirut, Lebanon to estimate pedestrian mobility impacts of three urban design scenarios. We illustrate how each scenario affects pedestrian trip generation across various trip types and trip distribution on individual street segments. Our approach demonstrates how urban design interventions–both land use changes and street quality improvements–can influence pedestrian travel demand. Estimates of these changes can provide planners and policymakers with valuable benefit-cost analyses of public space improvements, and a framework for understanding how site-specific planning and development decisions can impact progress towards (or away from) non-motorized mobility goals.

ENHANCING URBAN PATHFINDING FOR PEDESTRIANS THROUGH FUSION OF MLS AND HMLS DATA

Abstract. Pedestrian pathfinding is crucial for enhancing pedestrian mobility in urban environments. In this research a method to generate navigation graphs based on Mobile Laser Scanning (MLS) and Handheld Laser Scanning (HMLS) data fusion is developed. The input data comprises a 2-kilometer urban street network that integrates both MLS and HMLS data, effectively mitigating sidewalk occlusions caused mainly by parked vehicles. The proposed method encompasses the following steps: (1) Deep Learning semantic segmentation of urban ground elements and navigation-related obstacles, (2) Static vs. Dynamic object differentiation to replicate conditions of unobstructed passage. (3) Sidewalk enrichment with inclination, preservation status, and width. (4) Physical accessibility estimation between sidewalks and crosswalks incorporating curb information. And (5) navigation graph computation based on the enhanced sidewalk data, crosswalks, with accurate node location and connections. Routes were calculated within a Geographical Information System, and results ensure that pedestrians can navigate in urban environments with precision and efficiency.

Assessment of a service-learning project experience in mobility and spatial data

To enhance sustainable and walkable cities we need to know which aspects of the urban environment affect children’s walkability and working on measures related to communication and education to ensure widespread awareness in society as a whole. The aim of this paper is to advance the implementation of participative and dynamic techniques at university level and targeting children from a sustainable mobility perspective. Through the Service-Learning project “Let's Walk Safely to School!” three specific objectives – related with learning, service and teaching are addressed. While learning, university students conducted a community service and resolved several challenges related with complementary skills for pedestrian mobility and Geographic Information Systems, while children learn mobility concepts. Its development combines the resolution of a challenge, learning by doing – since the whole process was carried out in a real context –, and cooperative learning. Using the results of a survey of 200 children studying in a school in Madrid, field work, and digital mapping, eight University students developed an interactive web map which classifies the streets around the school according to the children’s comfort level, safety/security and ease of travel. The participants broadened their academic competencies, while exchange skills, knowledge and expertise, and also acquired transversal competencies related to teamwork, organisation and planning, effective communication and knowledge of ICTs.

Effect of Sidewalk Design and Obstructions on Pedestrian Mobility: A Case Study of the Main Streets of Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia

Walking is the cheapest and most flexible eco‐friendly mode of transport. Streets in developing countries are poorly designed and managed, and hence, there is no space or it is inadequate for walking. This study assessed the impact of narrow sidewalk designs and obstructions on safety and accessibility of pedestrians in the main streets of Mekelle city, northern Ethiopia. It also evaluated the effects of sidewalk obstructions on pedestrian level of service (PLOS). Primary data, such as road width, sidewalk space utilization, pedestrian flow, and pedestrian speed, were collected on the study main streets. Effective sidewalk width and pedestrian unit flow rate were used to evaluate the effectiveness of existing sidewalk facilities. Moreover, static obstruction management of streets was evaluated, and a minimum sidewalk width was proposed. This study revealed that sidewalk widths for most streets in Mekelle city were found below the minimum required width for mixed use areas. Besides, the average effective sidewalk width was found to be lower than the bare minimum width of 1.2 m required for two pedestrians pass each other. As a result, some of the streets in Mekelle are operating at low PLOS (E and F). Most sidewalks were designed below the minimum standard width, and they are poorly managed forcing about 25% of pedestrians to share with motorized traffic in some streets. To improve the performance of sidewalks in the main streets of Mekelle city, the minimum sidewalk width should be 4.0 m and needs to be constructed with proper zoning. Moreover, center placement of static obstructions should be avoided in narrow sidewalks. Placement of utility poles within or at the edge of frontage zone and trees at the furniture zone improves the existing effective sidewalk width by 73%. This study underlines that urban planners and designers should give emphasis to width sufficiency of sidewalks for safe mobility of pedestrians of all groups and to accommodate other road side activities.

A CQI and Hysteretic-Based Decision Algorithm to Prevent Handover Failures for Pedestrian Mobility in Mobile Communication HetNet

A CQI and Hysteretic-Based Decision Algorithm to Prevent Handover Failures for Pedestrian Mobility in Mobile Communication HetNet

A journey through pedestrian mobility and the sustainable city: discussing walkability

The form of the built environment, walkability, and society are directly related, being points that influence not only mobility but several structural areas of a city, ranging from its social dynamics as well as the health of individuals, local and global politics, economy, comfort, safety, the identity of spaces, attractiveness and several other influencing factors. The perception of passers-by is influenced by several aspects, such as lighting, sense of safety, the width of sidewalks, attractiveness of facades and of the public space itself, as well as the potential of the space to promote social interaction, which is one of the essential focuses of contemporary urban planning. This research has the general objective of listing the essential factors when analyzing the walkability of spaces, discussing the aspects of the form of the built environment that favors walkability, thus expressing concepts, indexes, methods, and studies that enable and contextualize pedestrian mobility and its relationship with users, urban form and its potentials. As a methodological contribution, bibliographic review research was used, using studies already done in the thematic axes to systematize and generate the result that meets the objectives of the work. Therefore, a dynamic portrait was obtained concerning walkability and its multisystemic relations with the city, as well as applications in techniques and methods of urban studies.

Same paths, different experiences: Discussion of possible paths for a walkability assessment tool, including intersectionality

Walkability is an essential concept for building more accessible and sustainable cities. It refers to the ease with which people can walk and move on foot in a given urban environment, taking into account aspects such as safety, accessibility, comfort, and attractiveness of public space. Intersectionality is emerging as a fundamental approach to the analysis of walkability, as it allows for the consideration of the multiple dimensions that influence the experience of walking in urban spaces. However, it is common to have indices and tools for the analysis of walkability that are limited to the evaluation of aspects of the shape of the built environment and urban morphology, thus ignoring essential social issues in the assessment of the possibilities and limitations of walking. Urban mobility and walkability cannot be approached in isolation from the social, cultural, and political issues that affect people's lives in urban spaces. Intersectionality helps us understand how social inequalities affect how different people access and experience urban spaces. This work aims to discuss the importance and necessity of using intersectionality as part of the parameters for evaluating the walkability of spaces, as well as to present a conceptual proposal for the construction of a methodological tool that adds intersectionality to pedestrian mobility analyzes. Through the literature review method, this research highlights the fundamentality of social aspects to understand urban mobility and walkability in contemporary cities.

Analysis and Optimization Strategies of Pedestrian Environment around TOD Rail Transit Stations in Guangzhou

This study extensively examines the urban dynamics of Guangzhou, a city that has notably embraced and incorporated the concept of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) into its urban structure. Through a comprehensive and meticulously designed questionnaire survey, the research aims to understand different demographic groups' diverse preferences and needs. The main focus is comprehending individuals' views and experiences regarding the pedestrian environment near Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) stations. The study findings reveal a wide range of outcomes, indicating significant variations in walking distance tolerance and environmental satisfaction among different populations. Notably, walking distance emerged as a crucial factor, as a positive correlation was found between shorter perceived distances and higher levels of enjoyment. Evaluating pedestrian amenities reveals their insufficiency and emphasizes the need for improved pedestrian comfort and infrastructure. Various factors influence individuals' satisfaction with the walking environment. The assessment of pedestrian infrastructure in Guangzhou's Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) areas generally shows positive feedback, but there is still room for improvement. This study analyzes the current shortcomings in pedestrian infrastructure and proposes practical recommendations for enhancement. Its purpose is to provide a basis for policy formulation and future renovations to enhance pedestrian mobility near TOD train stations in Guangzhou.

Do women perceive pedestrian path attractiveness differently from men?

The objective of this work is investigating on differences in pedestrians’ perceptions in terms of gender. Specifically, we want to verify differences between male and female in perceiving aspects characterizing pedestrian paths and influencing their satisfaction, perceived service quality, and behavioural intentions. We propose a methodology based on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) approach. From the model calibration we derived different coefficients for male and female, representing the importance that each category of users gives to the various aspects characterizing the paths. Data were collected through a sample survey addressed to pedestrians walking on paths placed in an urban area of the southern Italy. We discovered interesting findings about gender differences. In general, females are more sensitive than males concerning many important aspects such as environmental aspects in terms of air pollution and noise, or personal security from robbery or theft, or presence of furnishing along the path and cleanliness of the environment. On the other hand, male consider more the continuity of pedestrian path and the condition of the walking surface, as well as the nuisance due to the vehicle flow. In terms of similarities in perceptions, male and female equally appreciated the comfort due to the presence of trees providing shade along the path. The findings from the model could be useful for planners, who should invest on those aspects considered as important by both the categories, but also on the aspects that determine an inequality between male and female. As an example, since women do not feel secure along those paths, planners could improve this aspect in such a way as to make paths attractive to both women and men, as well as the aspects considered more relevant for men, to incentivize pedestrian mobility.

Pedestrian Citizenship: Frederick Law Olmsted’s Democratic Landscape Architecture

Abstract Amid the massive project of national reconstruction—characterized by urbanization and social upheaval—that followed the American Civil War, Frederick Law Olmsted reenvisioned built environments across the nation. This article claims that, for Olmsted and his contemporaries, who were simultaneously curious about, skeptical of, and fearful of the new cities, his designs attempted to show the democratic potential of urban environments. Reading his speeches and essays alongside his designs, it suggests that Olmsted promised the new cities and their parks and parkways as sites of democratic inclusion and democratic virtue. These built environments, as material rhetorics shaping our everyday, pedestrian habits, cultivated a specific practice of citizenship, one that was, this article argues, characterized by a countercultural temporality, pedestrian mobility, recreation, and civic scopophilia. Today, we inherit the parks and cityscapes that Olmsted designed as well as their aspirations for democratic citizenship.