Significance of planning factors for pedestrians

The overall purpose of the project is to study the question "What is the type of design and planning of the built environment that influences the choice to walk, and means an increased opportunity for the road user to walk, in a Swedish context?"

Walking is not only the most basic and sustainable means of transport, but it is also recognized for its physical and mental health and economic benefits. Because pedestrians are slower and require relatively lesser focus and skill than all other modes of transport (like cycling and driving), they can pay more attention to the built (or natural) environment around them and are more sensitive to their surroundings.

People walk for a variety of reasons and through a variety of different physical settings. To develop effective interventions and plan for better walking infrastructure that promote regular walking, it is necessary to know the factors that stimulate individuals to walk (or not walk) for their daily trips (i.e., mode choice), and also what signifies the routes they walk along (route choice).

This study uses a combination to two theoritical frameworks, namely Heirarchy of Walking Needs and Theory of Planned Behaviour, to understand walking behaviour.

The results of the project will provide concrete suggestions on which built environment factors are considered to be most important, not only in choosing walking as a means of transport but also in choosing the walking route. The study is conducted in collaboration with three swedish municipalities: Umeå, Linköping and Gävle.

Data collection is now complete.