Preference for Street Environment Based on Route Choice Behavior While Walking

Abstract

This study aimed to better understand the relationship between the street environment and walking behavior by deciphering the pedestrians' street environment preference based on their route choice behavior while walking. The route data of 219 residents were collected using an unobtrusive tracking method and subjected to binary logistic regression models to analyze the pedestrian route choice behavior. The results revealed that except for the walking distance, the trip purpose and travel status are the potential factors influencing the route choice of pedestrians. Furthermore, it was revealed that on-street parking, garbage bins, and streetlights could influence the pedestrians to select longer distance routes. In addition, pedestrians were more likely to select the shortest distance route when they were engaged in leisure activities with an accompanist. The findings of this study would offer insights, from different perspectives, into the micro-scale street environment and the walking behavior of pedestrians.

Keywords: route choice characteristics; street environment; the shortest distance route; walking behavior; walking preference.