Decoding Walking Speed for Sustainable and Livable Cities: A Thematic Review

Year 2024, Volume: 12 Issue: 4, 589 - 605, 29.12.2024

Abdurrahman Yağmur Topraklı , Muhsin Selçuk Satır

Abstract

Walking speed, a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect of pedestrian behavior, is a critical factor in shaping the design and functionality of sustainable and livable cities. This thematic review analyzes the multifaceted determinants of walking speed, drawing upon research from transportation planning, urban design, public health, and biomechanics. We explore how individual attributes, such as age, gender, and fitness level, interact with environmental conditions, including terrain, weather, crowd density, and the quality of pedestrian infrastructure, to influence walking speeds. We also delve into the role of psychological factors, such as motivation, stress, attention, and cultural dimensions, recognizing that social norms and clothing choices can impact pedestrian movement. By decoding these complex interactions, this review aims to highlight the significance of walking speed in creating truly walkable urban environments. We argue that incorporating an understanding of walking speed into data-driven urban design interventions can lead to a multitude of benefits, including reduced car dependence, increased active transportation, and enhanced pedestrian safety, ultimately contributing to more sustainable, equitable, and livable cities.

Keywords

Walking speed, pedestrian behaviour, walkability, urban design

References

• [1] Gehl J (2011) Life between Buildings: Using Public Space. Islan Press
• [2] Banister D (2008) The sustainable mobility paradigm. Transp Policy (Oxf) 15:73–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2007.10.005
• [3] Mehta V (2008) Walkable streets: pedestrian behavior, perceptions and attitudes. Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability 1:217–245. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549170802529480
• [4] Fonseca F, Ribeiro PJG, Conticelli E, et al (2022) Built environment attributes and their influence on walkability. Int J Sustain Transp 16:660–679. https://doi.org/10.1080/15568318.2021.1914793
• [5] Ewing R, Cervero R (2010) Travel and the Built Environment. Journal of the American Planning Association 76:265–294. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944361003766766
• [6] Ng SSM, Ng PCM, Lee CYW, et al (2013) Assessing The Walking Speed of Older Adults: The Influence of Walkway Length. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 92:776–780. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0b013e31828769d0
• [7] Bertolini L (1999) Spatial Development Patterns and Public Transport: The Application of an Analytical Model in the Netherlands. Planning Practice and Research 14:199–210. https://doi.org/10.1080/02697459915724
• [8] Munn Z, Peters MDJ, Stern C, et al (2018) Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. BMC Med Res Methodol 18:143. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0611-x
• [9] Şimşek P, Kako M, Harada N, et al (2024) Scoping review of exploring the roles of primary care providers to increase disaster preparedness of vulnerable populations. Progress in Disaster Science 23:100339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdisas.2024.100339
• [10] Bohannon RW, Andrews AW (2011) Normal Walking Speed: A Descriptive Meta-analysis. Physiotherapy 97:182–189
• [11] England SA, Granata KP (2007) The influence of gait speed on local dynamic stability of walking. Gait Posture 25:172–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.03.003
• [12] Ahmedov S, Lesinger FY, Oytun M, et al (2022) Walking Speed Gender Differences in Prepubertal Children: An Observational Study. Cyprus Journal of Medical Sciences 7:404–408. https://doi.org/10.4274/cjms.2022.2021-226
• [13] Roslien J, Skare O, Gustavsen M, et al (2009) Simultaneous Estimation of Effects of Gender, Age and Walking Speed on Kinematic Gait Data. Gait Posture 30:441–445
• [14] Browning RC, Baker EA, Herron JA, Kram R (2006) Effects of Obesity and Sex on the Energetic Cost and Preferred Speed of Walking. J Appl Physiol 100:390–398
• [15] Basu N, Oviedo-Trespalacios O, King M, et al (2023) What do pedestrians consider when choosing a route? The role of safety, security, and attractiveness perceptions and the built environment during day and night walking. Cities 143:104551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2023.104551
• [16] Alexander RMN (2002) Energetics And Optimization of Human Walking and Running: The 2000 Raymond Pearl Memorial Lecture. American Journal of Human Biology 14:641–648. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.10067
• [17] Bastien GJ, Willems PA, Schepens B, Heglund NC (2005) Effect Of Load And Speed on The Energetic Cost of Human Walking. Eur J Appl Physiol 94:76–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1286-z
• [18] Gidley AD, Eli Lankford D (2021) Cost of Transport at Preferred Walking Speeds Are Minimized While Walking on Moderately Steep Incline Surfaces. Hum Mov Sci 79:1–9
• [19] Han S (2015) The Influence of Walking Speed on Gait Patterns During Upslope Walking. J Med Imaging Health Inform 5:89–92. https://doi.org/10.1166/jmihi.2015.1354
• [20] Delin M, Norén J, Ronchi E, et al (2017) Ascending Stair Evacuation: Walking Speed as A Function of Height. In: Fire and Materials. John Wiley and Sons Ltd, pp 514–534
• [21] Fujiyama T, Tyler N (2010) Predicting The Walking Speed of Pedestrians on Stairs. Transportation Planning and Technology 33:177–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/03081061003643770
• [22] Fossum M, Ryeng EO (2021) The Walking Speed of Pedestrians on Various Pavement Surface Conditions During Winter. Transp Res D Transp Environ 97:. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2021.102934
• [23] Liang S, Leng H, Yuan Q, et al (2020) How Does Weather and Climate Affect Pedestrian Walking Speed During Cool and Cold Seasons in Severely Cold Areas? Build Environ 175:. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106811
• [24] Al-Azzawi M, Raeside R (2007) Modeling Pedestrian Walking Speeds on Sidewalks. J Urban Plan Dev 133:211–219. https://doi.org/10.1061/ASCE0733-94882007133:3211
• [25] Tipakornkiat C, Limanond T, Kim H (2012) Determining an Influencing Area Affecting Walking Speed on Footpath: A Case Study of a Footpath in CBD Bangkok, Thailand. Physica A 391:5453–5464
• [26] Montufar J, Arango J, Porter M, Nakagawa S (2007) Pedestrians’ Normal Walking Speed and Speed When Crossing a Street. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board 2002:90–97. https://doi.org/10.3141/2002-12
• [27] Sharifi MS, Stuart D, Christensen K, et al (2016) Analysis of Walking Speeds Involving Individuals with Disabilities in Different Indoor Walking Environments. J Urban Plan Dev 142:. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)up.1943-5444.0000288
• [28] Duim E, Lebrão ML, Antunes JLF (2017) Walking Speed of Older People and Pedestrian Crossing Time. J Transp Health 5:70–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2017.02.001
• [29] Wang X, Liu Z, Wang J, et al (2021) Experimental Study on Individual Walking Speed during Emergency Evacuation with the Influence of Ship Motion. Physica A 562:1–12
• [30] Stephan Y, Sutin AR, Bovier-Lapierre G, Terracciano A (2018) Personality and Walking Speed Across Adulthood: Prospective Evidence From Five Samples. Soc Psychol Personal Sci 9:773–780. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550617725152
• [31] Franěk M, van Noorden L, Režnỳ L (2014) Tempo And Walking Speed with Music in The Urban Context. Front Psychol 5:. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01361
• [32] Paschalidis E, Politis I, Basbas S, Lambrianidou P (2016) Pedestrian Compliance and Cross Walking Speed Adaptation Due to Countdown Timer Installations: A Self Report Study. Transp Res Part F Traffic Psychol Behav 42:456–467
• [33] Levine R V, Norenzayan A (1999) The Pace of Life in 31 Countries. J Cross Cult Psychol 30:178–205
• [34] Almejmaj M, Meacham B, Skorinko J (2014) The Effects of Cultural Differences Between the West and Saudi Arabia on Emergency Evacuation-Clothing Effects on Walking Speed. Fire Mater 39:353–370. https://doi.org/10.1002/fam.2227
• [35] Golan Y, Wilkinson N, Henderson JM, Weverka A (2019) Gendered walkability: Building a daytime walkability index for women. J Transp Land Use 12:. https://doi.org/10.5198/jtlu.2019.1472
• [36] Foster S, Hooper P, Burton NW, et al (2021) Safe Habitats: Does the Association Between Neighborhood Crime and Walking Differ by Neighborhood Disadvantage? Environ Behav 53:3–39. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916519853300
• [37] Whyte W. H. (1980) The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. The Conservation Foundation
• [38] Fitzpatrick K, Carlson P, Brewer M, et al (2006) Improving Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Crossings: NCHRP Report 562.
• [39] Jacobs J (1993) Great Streets. MIT Press
• [40] Lynch K (1960) The Image of the City. MIT Press
• [41] Al Shammas T, Escobar F (2019) Comfort and Time-Based Walkability Index Design: A GIS-Based Proposal. Int J Environ Res Public Health 16:2850. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16162850
• [42] Taleai M, Yameqani AS (2018) Integration of GIS, remote sensing and Multi-Criteria Evaluation tools in the search for healthy walking paths. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 22:279–291. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-017-2538-x
• [43] Sevtsuk A, Mekonnen M (2012) Urban network analysis. A new toolbox for ArcGIS. Revue internationale de géomatique 22:287–305. https://doi.org/10.3166/rig.22.287-305
• [44] LEE I-M, BUCHNER DM (2008) The Importance of Walking to Public Health. Med Sci Sports Exerc 40:S512–S518. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31817c65d0
• [45] Litman T (2003) Economic Value of Walkability. Victoria Transport Policy Institute
• [46] Choi N, Basat G (2022) Accessible sidewalks for inclusive cities. In: World Bank Blogs. https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/sustainablecities/accessible-sidewalks-inclusive-cities. Accessed 20 Sep 2024
• [47] Lima JP, Machado MH (2019) Walking accessibility for individuals with reduced mobility: A Brazilian case study. Case Stud Transp Policy 7:269–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2019.02.007
• [48] Naghdizadegan Jahromi M, Neysani Samany N, Mostafavi MA, Argany M (2023) A New Approach for Accessibility Assessment of Sidewalks for Wheelchair Users Considering the Sidewalk Traffic. pp 76–92