Speaker
Description
Pedestrian comfort and mobility are crucial considerations in urban planning, particularly in densely populated megacities like Shanghai, where commercial districts serve as key hubs for pedestrian traffic. While existing research on walkability primarily focuses on broad urban metrics such as land use and pedestrian infrastructure, there is a noticeable gap in understanding how specific factors—such as pathway conditions, traffic flows, and environmental elements—affect pedestrian experiences in areas with high footfall. This study addresses this gap by examining pedestrian comfort and urban mobility in Shanghai’s inner-ring commercial areas, specifically focusing on popular restaurant destinations, which attract significant pedestrian travel.
The research utilizes navigation data from Gaode Map to identify popular restaurant destinations within Shanghai’s inner core, based on real-time popularity scores and number of navigation arrivals. Restaurants directly accessible from urban and community roads are selected for further analysis. The study then maps the transportation nodes within a 5-minute walking radius of each destination, categorizing them into four spatial access patterns: pedestrian, cycling, public transit, and vehicular. Empirical field observations are conducted to track actual travel behaviors, including the modes of transit and pedestrian arrival patterns.
A comprehensive pedestrian comfort audit is carried out, focusing on three key factors: walking characteristics (speed, stride, and flow), traffic conditions (pedestrian-vehicle separation and congestion), and pathway quality (surface evenness, cleanliness, and overall maintenance). Additionally, the study integrates user-generated content from social media platforms Xiaohongshu, using sentiment analysis to assess public satisfaction with the walking experience. This dual approach—combining spatial audits with social media sentiment—offers a holistic view of the pedestrian experience at these popular restaurant destinations.
Preliminary findings highlight significant variations in pedestrian comfort across different transport nodes and pathways. Pathways connected to public transit and vehicular routes often face higher congestion, resulting in less comfortable walking conditions, particularly at busy intersections, overpasses, and congested corners. In contrast, destinations with dedicated pedestrian pathways and well-maintained surfaces provide more comfortable walking experiences. Environmental factors such as shading, cleanliness, and the presence of signage are also identified as important contributors to pedstrian comfort.
The findings of this study offer valuable insights for urban mobility and pedestrian-focused design. Recommendations for improving pedestrian comfort include enhanced pedestrian-vehicle separation and traffic spaces with barriers, better maintenance of walking surfaces, and the integration of urban design elements. This research presents an innovative approach to understanding pedestrian mobility by combining real-time navigation data, spatial audits, and sentiment analysis, providing actionable insights for urban planners and policymakers. Furthermore, the methodology offers potential for broader applications on creating pedestrian-friendly environments in dense urban areas like Shanghai, fostering comparative studies on pedestrian comfort and urban mobility globally.
| Keywords | pedestrian comfort ; travel ; destination ; |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
