Walkability Research Articles

Comprehensive Assessment of Context-Adaptive Street Lighting: Technical Aspects, Economic Insights, and Measurements from Large-Scale, Long-Term Implementations.

This paper addresses the growing importance of efficient street lighting management, driven by rising electricity costs and the need for municipalities to implement cost-effective solutions. Central to this study is the UNI 11248 Italian regulation, which extends the European EN 13201-1 standard introduced in 2016. These standards provide guidelines for designing, installing, operating, and maintaining lighting systems in pedestrian and vehicular traffic areas. Specifically, the UNI 11248 standard introduces the possibility to dynamically adjust light intensity through two alternative operating modes: (a) Traffic Adaptive Installation (TAI), which dims the light based solely on real-time traffic flow measurements; and (b) Full Adaptive Installation (FAI), which, in addition to traffic measurements, also requires evaluating road surface luminance and meteorological conditions. In this paper, we first present the general architecture and operation of an FAI-enabled lighting infrastructure, which relies on environmental sensors and a heterogeneous wireless communication network to connect intelligent, remotely controlled streetlights. Subsequently, we examine large-scale, in-field FAI infrastructures deployed in Vietnam and Italy as case studies, providing substantial measurement data. The paper offers insights into the measured energy consumption of these infrastructures, comparing them to that of conventional light-control strategies used in traditional installations. The measurements demonstrate the superiority of FAI as the most efficient solution.

Distinguishing injury patterns in fatal falls from heights versus pedestrian impacts: an autopsy study for differential diagnosis in ambiguous cases.

This study investigated the injury patterns associated with fatal falls from heights compared to individuals struck by cars, aiming to enhance the differential diagnosis in ambiguous cases, where it is unclear whether the body fell from nearby building or was left on the street following a road traffic incident. A retrospective review of comprehensive forensic reports from the Institute of Legal Medicine of the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" between 2012 and 2023 was conducted. The analysis included 232 cases, gathering data on internal organ injuries, skeletal fractures, external skin injuries, as well as pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial effusions. Bilateral lung injuries were significantly more common in falls from height (33.3%) compared to pedestrians (13.6%, p < 0.001). Liver injuries also occurred more frequently in fall victims (49.6%) than in pedestrians (28.2%, p < 0.001). Skull fractures were more frequent in falls from height (68.2%) versus individuals struck by cars (55.3%, p = 0.044), while unilateral leg fractures were more common in pedestrians (28.2%) compared to fall victims (16.3%, p = 0.029). External injuries, notably to the head and legs, were more frequent in pedestrians. The "Total Injured Skin Area" analysis revealed a significant discriminative power with an optimal cut-off of 84.2cm², suggesting that injuries exceeding this threshold may be indicative of a pedestrian road fatality.

Methods of using the Pedestrian Friendly Roads

Methods of using the Pedestrian Friendly Roads

IMPLEMENTATION OF PEDESTRIAN SAFETY SYSTEMS IN THE URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE OF KHARKIV

The article focuses on pedestrian safety issues within the urban infrastructure of Kharkiv City in Ukraine and the implementation of modern protection systems on roads. It examines approaches to organising pedestrian zones and safety islands, with particular emphasis on the RS PSS system, designed to enhance pedestrian safety on roads with high traffic intensity. Significant attention goes to the growing number of road traffic accidents (RTAs) at pedestrian crossings and main city highways. From 2018 to 2024, an analysis of accident hotspots took place based on statistical data. This analysis led to the creation of a map of RTAs, which helped identify the most dangerous areas for pedestrians and determine the priority locations for safety measures. One of the proposed solutions discussed is using bollards – protective posts that prevent vehicles from entering pedestrian areas. The article analyses the effectiveness of bollards in combination with other safety measures, such as safety islands and traffic management systems. In addition to bollards, landscape solutions that protect pedestrians and blend into the urban environment are also mentioned. The main focus is on the RS PSS system, which consists of pedestrian slabs and safety islands manufactured using specialised technology. The system has been tested in various locations throughout the city and has demonstrated a significant reduction in RTAs after its implementation. The article illustrates the process of installing the system using the example of the reconstruction of a safety island on Liudviha Svobody Avenue. The use of modern equipment and technology ensured the rapid and efficient completion of the project. According to official data, the number of RTAs in this area decreased from 21 to 4 after completing the project. In conclusion, the implementation of new safety systems has had a positive impact on reducing accidents and improving pedestrian protection. There is also a noted need for further development and advancement of such systems and the integration of advanced technologies to enhance urban infrastructure. Keywords: pedestrian safety, pedestrian safety systems, safety islands, bollard, refuge.

Hybrid Models in Natural Engineering Structure of the City

The article discusses the first hybrid urban planning model including different functional zones on the right bank of the Moskva River. Hybridization of indicators includes renovation of the Crimean embankment and Gorky Park into a single pedestrian zone. Integration of public, business and recreational spaces with park areas are integrated in a single route along the embankment between Gorky Park, Neskuchny Sad landscape park with the Vorobyovy Gory nature reserve. The other part of the hybrid model is formed from the Crimean embankment with Muzeon Park to the public and business space of the Red October, and in 2021, to the famous GES-2 after reconstruction. The total length of the route is currently about 10 km for walking and cycling with excellent views of water and natural areas. The article examines the properties of the first hybrid model, their impact on the sociocultural scenario of space as well as economic, aesthetic and environmental development of the central part of Moscow. However, not all properties of the new model are actively manifested and some have negative indicators, that reduces the integrated development of both the model and the objects in its structure. At the same time, at the present stage of urban development, special attention is paid to the management of urbanization and climate through technological solutions with the replacement of a sustainable natural component in the city. Design solutions of such sustainable projects can be successfully used in different climatic zones. In this context, the author raises the issue of preserving natural areas in the city and analyzes international experience in "hybridity" of properties in models. The proposed approach to climate changes and the sustainability of newly created hybrid models emphasizes objects in which green and blue technologies (for replenishing nature and using rainwater) develop and support both the object formation in the structure of hybrid models and stabilize the new natural engineering structure of the city

Activating the potential for more walking in work tour: An explorative study on car commuters

This paper investigates the Potential for More Walking (PMW) in work tour among car commuters and proposes ways to encourage them to activate this potential. The study utilized a sample of 621 car commuters in the city of Qom, Iran, who expressed a willingness to replace their daily commute pattern with an alternative commute pattern that involves more walking time. The findings of the random effect binary logit model indicated that network patterns with improved connectivity in the residential neighborhood have a significant impact on activating the PMW. Additionally, subjective factors such as positive perceptions towards sidewalk conditions, longer distances between home and workplace, and positive attitudes towards walking were found to be associated with an increased tendency to activate the PMW. Moreover, the study assessed a set of transportation demand management measures that could influence individual behavior towards activating the PMW. The results indicated that pull measures are generally more effective than push measures in promoting walking during work commuting. Furthermore, the measures of turning streets with dense land-uses into pedestrian malls, increasing green spaces on sidewalks, and widening sidewalks were found to have the highest impact on activating the PMW, respectively.

Pedestrian bridge over the River Elbe in Hradec Králové

AbstractThis contribution describes the architectural and structural solutions of a unique pedestrian footbridge in Hradec Králové. The new significant construction was built over the Elbe River in the pedestrian area. The bridge design was challenging for architects, planners even though contractors, especially due to accounting for the influence of shipping traffic. Completed structure has two asymmetrical spans, whereas the main span across the river is 69 m long. In the final static scheme, the structure forms a virtual Vierendeel truss of variable height. A slender UHPFRC bridge deck supported by a pair of cables through thin steel crossbars creates a delightful bridge, which has become a new symbol of the city.

43 Involvement in active transport is related to organizational factors and physical environment infrastructure

Abstract Purpose Active transport (AT) is considered the most sustainable and accessible mode for travel purposes. AT (walking and cycling) contributes to health-enhancing physical activity as it is a convenient and accessible way to increase physical activity levels. Convenient infrastructure promotion and support are important factors in shift from motor transport towards active travel. The purpose of this study was to determine how organizational factors and neighbourhood physical environment differ between using and not using AT among the Lithuanian young adult population. Methods This cross-sectional study included 250 Lithuanian young adults aged 18-39 years, with a mean age of 20.38 years. Of these, 80% were women. AT was measured using the Stages of Change Model-based Questionnaire. Infrastructure was measured by ALPHA Questionnaire–REVISED (Spittals et al., 2010). Organization-related items were developed by study researchers. Results Young Lithuanian people preferred cars and/or public transport (62.4%) instead of active transportation (AT) (27.6%) when choosing mobility. The results support a strong link between AT and organizational aspects. AT is more often chosen by people who belong to an organization where environmentally friendly behaviour is encouraged (waste sorting, using AT (p = 0.018); conditions are created to safely store a bicycle or scooter (p = 0.024); that talks about sustainable development, environmentally friendly behaviour, sustainability, etc. (p = 0.034). Quality of the neighbourhood physical environment, such as maintained bicycle paths (p = 0.011), maintained sidewalks (p = 0.049), maintained parks, and other open spaces (p = 0.050) significantly associated with the choice of AT. However, the choice of active transport was not significantly related to the infrastructure of pedestrian zones or paths, infrastructure of special lanes, routes for bicycles, or separation of bicycle paths from car traffic. Conclusions Young people’s involvement in AT is influenced by the attitude of the organization in which they work or study towards environmentally friendly behaviour, AT, and sustainable development. The quality of the neighbourhood physical environment also determines the involvement of young people in AT.

Is Active Mobility Really a Sustainable Way of Travelling in Italian Cities? When and Where Injury Risk Offsets the Benefits of Riding or Walking

Even though active mobility is considered a sustainable way of travelling in urban environments, this might not always be the case because of a lack of infrastructure and poor road safety standards. This study assesses, under an economic point of view, the health benefits of a shift from private cars to active mobility for urban travels in Italy, considering both mortality and morbidity effects. The overall health effect is the result of positive (increased physical activity) and negative effects (increased air pollutant intake and increased road injury risk). Health impacts are measured using disability-adjusted life years and translated into monetary terms using either the value of a life year or the value of a statistical life. On average, the overall health effect of the modal shift is negative. This is largely due to the very high pedestrian and bike road injury rates in Italian cities. The negative effect of increased air pollution intake is negligible if compared with the effect of road injuries. In the case of bikes/e-bikes, the overall health effect is positive in cities characterised by good cycling infrastructure.

Application of Machine Learning and Multi-Dimensional Perception in Urban Spatial Quality Evaluation: A Case Study of Shanghai Underground Pedestrian Street

The exploitation of urban subsurface space in urban inventory planning is closely connected to the quality of urban environments. Currently, the construction of underground pedestrian streets is characterised by inefficiency and traffic congestion, making them insufficient for fulfilling the demand for well-designed and human-centred spaces. In the study of spatial quality, traditional evaluation methods, such as satellite remote sensing and street maps, often suffer from low accuracy and slow updating rates, and they frequently overlook human perceptual evaluations. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop a set of spatial quality evaluation methods incorporating pedestrian perspectives, thereby addressing the neglect of subjective human experiences in spatial quality research. This study first quantifies and clusters the characteristics of underground pedestrian spaces using spatial syntax. It then gathers multidimensional perception data from selected locations and ultimately analyses and predicts the results employing machine learning techniques, specifically Random Forest and XGBoost. The research results indicate variability in pedestrians’ evaluations of spatial quality across different functionally oriented spaces. Key factors influencing these evaluations include Gorgeous, Warm, Good Ventilation, and Flavour indicators. The study proposes a comprehensive and applicable spatial quality evaluation model integrating spatial quantification methods, machine learning algorithms, and multidimensional perception measurements. The development of this model offers valuable scientific guidance for the planning and construction of high-quality urban public spaces.

The application of direct ridership models in the evaluation of the expansion of the Porto Light Rail Transit

The main purpose of this paper is to show how a direct demand ride model coupled with a transfer model was able to support the choice of alternative routes for the expansion of the light rail system serving the Porto Metropolitan Area. After an overview of the literature on direct ridership models, emphasizing some key issues such as the need for a systematic assessment of their forecasting performance, the issues related to the definition of the pedestrian catchment area and the limitations of the simultaneous consideration of demand and supply effects, the paper moves into the case study, providing some background information on current occupation densities, land uses and mobility patterns, as well as on the performance of the existing LRT in the Metropolitan Area of Porto. The development of the direct ridership model, measuring the potential attractiveness of each station, and the transfer model, measuring the number of transfers at each station, are presented in detail. A justification is provided why, in this case, a two-step modelling approach was necessary. Further details about the statistical tests for model validation are also provided. After a brief characterization of the alternative routes under analysis for the expansion of the network, the modelling results are presented enabling a comparative assessment of the potential performance of each proposed route. The paper ends with a discussion of the relevance of this modelling results vis a vis the actual final decisions on investment priorities taken jointly by the Metropolitan Council and the Metro Company.

The Governance of Traffic Noise Impacting Pedestrian Amenities in Melbourne Australia: A Critical Policy Review.

By identifying a unified aim of Federal, State, and Local government authorities to deliver healthier, more liveable urban spaces and enable walkable neighbourhoods in Melbourne, Australia, questions emerge regarding noise data collection methods and the policies that aim to protect pedestrian areas from potential increases in urban traffic noise. It highlights a missed opportunity to develop strategies that provide explicit guidance for designing more compact urban forms without diminishing pedestrian amenities. This study investigates the governance of traffic-induced noise pollution and its impact on pedestrian amenities in Melbourne, Australia. It aims to identify the government bodies best positioned to protect pedestrians from noise pollution and evaluate the strategic justification for reducing traffic noise to enhance urban walkability. This research employs a semi-systematic policy selection method and a hybrid critique and review method to evaluate the multidisciplinary governance frameworks engaged in the management and mitigation of traffic noise in Melbourne. Key findings reveal that while traffic noise poses significant health risks, current policies overlook its impact on pedestrian amenities in urban areas. This study emphasises the benefits of qualitative and subjective noise data collection to inform policy-makers of the pedestrian aural experience and impacts. Discussion points include noise management strategies and the value of implementing metropolitan-scale noise-mapping to illustrate the impact of noise rather than quantities of sound. The conclusions demonstrate that there is strategic justification for managing traffic-induced noise pollution to protect pedestrian areas within international, federal, and state government policies and implicit rationale at a local level.

Közúti közlekedési balesetben megsérült gyalogosok számának csökkentési lehetőségei

Összefoglalás. A közlekedési balesetekben sérült személyek, valamint a baleset miatti anyagi károk jelentős mértékű társadalmi-gazdasági veszteségértéket képviselnek. Kutatásommal célom a közlekedés biztonságosabbá tételéhez szükséges kulcsterületek feltárása és a lehetséges potenciális beavatkozási területek meghatározása volt. Munkám során a 2016–2020 közötti közlekedési balesetek adatait elemeztem leíró statisztikai módszerrel. Megállapítottam, hogy a leginkább kritikus pont a gyalogosok közlekedése. Azokban a balesetekben, ahol volt gyalogos sérült, a balesetek két okcsoportja dominál: gyalogosok hibája (34,3%), valamint a járművezetők gyalogosok részére történő elsőbbségadásának elmaradása (38,1%). Az eredmények lehetőséget adnak a további célirányos vizsgálatokra, valamint a hatékony beavatkozásokra. Summary. Transport is an essential part of everybody lives. The aim of transport users is to make their journeys without accidents in the shortest possible time, while optimising their individual resources and inputs. The number of people injured in road traffic accidents with personal injury and the material damage caused by a significant socio-economic loss. By preventing accidents, it is clear that the costs and resources spent on road accidents can be reduced. Therefore, I started my research by determining the share of road user groups in the number of accidents, the number of people injured and the amount of economic loss value associated with accidents. I analysed road accidents between 2016 and 2020. By the accident analysis, I found that among vulnerable road users, the proportion of pedestrians and cyclists injured was extremely high. Injuries in these two transport modes accounted for more than half of the injuries in cars. By calculating the loss value, I found that the damage to the national economy caused by pedestrian injuries was significant. In my research, by analysing the causes of accidents, I found that in accidents where there was a pedestrian injured, two groups of causes dominate: pedestrian error (34.3%) and drivers not giving priority to pedestrians (38.1%). Examining the accident data, it was evident that the number of pedestrian accidents due to pedestrian error is very high, so I continued my research in the area of other activities of pedestrians while walking. I measured pedestrians in 10 locations in Budapest. During the measurements, I recorded and analysed data of 11536 persons. The average rate of distraction was 54.3%, which means that one in two pedestrians is doing some other activity while walking. The most frequent activity was talking to another pedestrian (29.8%), but phone use (15.7%) and head/earphone use (13.5%) were also very significant. My research results so far show that if we want to improve pedestrian safety, we need to reduce accidents caused by pedestrians’ own fault and increase drivers’ willingness to give priority to pedestrians. My research plans also include investigating ways to reduce pedestrian errors, increasing pedestrian awareness and examining pedestrian-driver interactions in more depth. I already have results in this area, but my aim is to identify target areas (including human, infrastructure, vehicle field) for my research that can be implemented in practice, thus helping to improve pedestrian safety and road safety.

The Design Concept of Integrated Pedestrian Sidewalk with Solar Plants as a Form of Green Campus Development at the Bali Land Transportation Polytechnic

Abstract An important aspect of creating a viable campus environment is providing safe and comfortable walking paths. Proper walking paths give some advantages for students, including improved physical and mental health, transportation efficiency, and increased Student satisfaction and happiness. The pedestrian sidewalk area at Bali Land Transportation Polytechnic (Poltrada Bali) covers 3800 m2, experiencing high pedestrian activity but lacking protective roofing to enhance pedestrian comfort. Based on the pedestrian sidewalk area, a solar power plant as support for the green canopy construction combined with shading vines is possible. The generated electrical energy serves as the power source for the Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (PEVCS) in the campus parking lot as a support for the electric vehicle acceleration program in Bali province. In addition to PEVCS, energy extraction surplus is used as alternative energy for street lighting facilities in the campus area. In this study, the design concept of a shaded pedestrian sidewalk has been carried out, with multiple benefits as solar plants using Delphi as a variable identification and validation tool, and SketchUp software to visualize design shapes aesthetically. The results show that a pedestrian comfort level of 94% was obtained and the maximum power generation of 934,800 Wp, thus it was able to meet the 887,832 W campus operational power reserve needs, street and garden lights of 9,728 W, and the power requirements of two PEVCS units of 22,000 W with a surplus of 15,240 W electric power.

Examination of the Placemaking Concept on Bursa Historical Cumhuriyet Street

In historical cities, urban public open space’s identity is a fundamental aspect that contributes to shaping the identity of communities. The architectural elements succeeded in expressing the identity of the community and maintaining the continuity of identity. The city's identity is determined by the city's geographical context, cultural level, architectural elements, local traditions, and quality of public open spaces. In recent years the multi dimensional place-making concept become an interesting study area in increasing urban identity. The concept of place-making coines to describe a multi-disciplinary approach in planning, designing, and urban public open spaces management to improve the urban environment and the quality of life. In this study, the conceptual framework of the topic was drawn by putting forth the concept of place and place-making to improve the quality of places in historical public open spaces. The studying area is Cumhuriyet Street in the historical center of Bursa City, which is located in the traditional trade center as a pedestrian road. The historical background is examined to demonstrate its potential in creating a place-making concept in the city's historic core.

Assessing the performance of the pedestrian path accessibility standards for people with disabilities

An optimal pedestrian pathway should cater to various user needs, encompassing safety, comfort, and universal accessibility. This research endeavors to evaluate the efficacy of pedestrian pathways, with a particular focus on public green spaces in Kendari City. The study emphasizes the implementation of an inclusive design concept for pedestrian pathways, ensuring the protection and fulfillment of rights for all demographic groups. To achieve its objectives, the research employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. A qualitative case study approach was utilized to assess architectural elements, while a Likert scale was employed for the performance evaluation. The findings from the performance assessment indicate that the service attribute values fall short of being optimal. Observational data suggest that most existing facilities fail to adhere to universal design principles, catering to the needs of all individuals. Consequently, there is a pressing need for physical modifications in the pedestrian pathway areas. These modifications include the installation of ramps, clear markings, and pathways for people with disabilities (guiding blocks), as well as the integration of trees and plants, trash receptacles, traffic signs, and essential utilities such as street lighting and billboards. Furthermore, the research highlights the necessity of organizing street vendor (PKL) zones across all area segments to enhance overall accessibility and usability.

Spatial and Temporal Variation of Subway Ridership before and during the COVID-19 Period in Beijing

The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019 caused a huge impact on people’s lives. Uncovering the variation of public traffic daily patterns during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods would help interpret the impact of the pandemic on people’s routine activity and promote the sustainable development of public transport systems. By collecting subway traffic data during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods in Beijing, China, this paper analyzes the spatial and temporal variation of subway ridership and seeks to find out what sort of environment variables related to the variation of subway ridership during the two periods. The results show that the ridership of Beijing subway during the pandemic period decreased by 91.69% compared with the pre-pandemic period. On working days and non-working days during the pandemic period, the subway stations experiencing huge ridership reductions were mainly distributed within the core urban areas, while in the morning peak hours, the stations experiencing huge ridership reduction were located within suburban areas. The origin-destination stations with a large decrease in ridership were mainly distributed along the central to northern directions of Beijing but, on non-working days, they were mainly distributed along the central to northwestern directions of Beijing. The results of the regression analysis indicated that, during the pandemic period, the industrial parks were significantly positively correlated with subway ridership, while the pedestrian road network density was significantly negatively correlated with subway ridership.

Exploration of the Impact of Built Environment Factors on Morning and Evening Peak Ridership at Urban Rail Transit Stations: A Case Study of Changsha, China

&lt;div&gt;To identify the influences of various built environment factors on ridership at urban rail transit stations, a case study was conducted on the Changsha Metro. First, spatial and temporal distributions of the station-level AM peak and PM peak boarding ridership are analyzed. The Moran’s I test indicates that both of them show significant spatial correlations. Then, the pedestrian catchment area of each metro station is delineated using the Thiessen polygon method with an 800-m radius. The built environment factors within each pedestrian catchment area, involving population and employment, land use, accessibility, and station attributes, are collected. Finally, the mixed geographically weighted regression models are constructed to quantitatively identify the effects of these built environment factors on the AM and PM peak ridership, respectively. The estimation results indicate that population density and employment density have significant but opposite influences on the AM and PM peak ridership, which can be attributed to the opposite travel directions of commuters in the AM and PM peak. The recreational facility density, road density, and 10-min walking accessibility could significantly positively affect the PM peak ridership, and their influences vary greatly over space. Besides, the operating time of stations significantly positively affects both the AM and PM peak ridership, transfer stations have significantly larger PM peak ridership and terminal stations have significantly larger AM peak ridership. The findings are expected to provide new insights for agencies to formulate appropriate measures to improve the ridership of urban rail transit.&lt;/div&gt;

Exploring walking choices in urban green streetscapes through the lens of the theory of planned behavior

This study employed the theory of planned behavior to examine how green urban spaces influence walking behaviors, with a focus on Chongqing’s Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street. Using structural equation modelling to analyse survey data from 401 respondents, this study assessed the relationships between attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, walking intentions, and actions. The results revealed that attitudes toward walking (β = 0.335, p &lt; 0.001) and subjective norms (β = 0.221, p &lt; 0.001) significantly predict walking intentions, which strongly determine actual walking behavior (β = 0.379, p &lt; 0.001). Moreover, perceived behavioral control exerts a direct significant impact on walking actions (β = 0.332, p &lt; 0.001), illustrating that both environmental and social factors are crucial in promoting pedestrian activity. These findings suggest that enhancing the appeal and accessibility of urban green spaces can significantly encourage walking, providing valuable insights for urban planning and public health policy. This study can guide city planners and health professionals in creating more walkable and health-conducive urban environments.

Stakeholder Identification and Collaboration Indicators in The Construction of Pedestrian Facilities in Jakarta

One of the programs the Jakarta Capital City Government runs is to lower the traffic in the city by offering spacious and comfortable pedestrian areas. The entire street idea, which divides road space to accommodate different user kinds and abilities, including those with disabilities, is used in its implementation. However, Stakeholder participation has certain drawbacks, including poor institutional coordination and subpar program execution integration with pertinent regional apparatus. This issue is believed to arise when multiple stakeholders' interests are involved, leading to disparities in sectoral perspectives and egos. These issues also make it more challenging to carry out the program's provision of pedestrian amenities. This research identifies internal and external stakeholders who influence the construction of pedestrian facilities in Jakarta and identifies indicators that affect their collaboration.