Research projects

Understanding and promoting walking as a mode of transport requires insights from multiple perspectives – from data analysis and statistics to people’s experiences, behaviours, and the design of our built environments. Within Planning for Walking, several research projects are being carried out to build a comprehensive understanding of how walking can be supported, measured, and developed in society.

The projects range from analyses of existing walking data in Sweden, to studies that explore the qualitative dimensions of walking, and research on how winter maintenance and urban design affect safety and walking patterns. Together, they contribute to new knowledge that supports planning for more walkable environments – all year round.

Read more about the three projects:

• Walking Audit – Data Quality from Different Sources
  What walking data exist in Sweden – and how reliable are they? This project analyses the strengths and weaknesses of current data sources and examines how information on movement patterns, injuries, and socio-economic factors can be used to better understand walking across different population groups and regions.
  
• A Qualitative Understanding of Walking
  Walking is more than just moving from one place to another. Through a systematic literature review, this project highlights the experiential and social aspects of walking – contributing to a deeper understanding of how walking can be promoted as an attractive and inclusive form of mobility.
  
• Design, Winter Maintenance, and Falls among Pedestrians
  How do snow, ice, and maintenance affect our walking habits? This project compiles knowledge on societal measures to prevent slipperiness and explores how various winter maintenance methods – from salting to heated surfaces – influence both pedestrian safety and movement patterns.