Importance assigned to comfort matters: Evaluation of pedestrian perception and preference on road crossings with different information reminders

Abstract

Pedestrian safety and walkability are essential components in the realm of sustainable urban transportation systems. Pedestrian crossing facilities, such as crossings, play a pivotal role in enhancing both safety and traffic efficiency. However, the influence of design features, environmental conditions, and pedestrian self-perception on crossing preferences remains an understudied area. Notably, with the swift advancement of intelligent transportation systems, the level of comfort perceived by pedestrians regarding different information presentation methods has emerged as a critical concern. This study examines the factors that influence pedestrian crossing decisions, encompassing facility design, environmental factors, personal characteristics, and latent variables such as importance assigned to comfort. Utilizing the Stated Preference (SP) method, we designed a questionnaire and gathered data from 500 Chinese respondents through an online survey. The Integrated Choice and Latent Variable (ICLV) model was then employed to quantify the impact of importance assigned to comfort, treated as a latent variable, on pedestrians' street-crossing choices. The findings reveal that the traffic environment significantly shapes pedestrians' crossing decisions. Specifically, an increase in traffic volume and a decrease in crowding levels statistically elevate pedestrians' propensity to opt for “Sign Marking” (Choice 1: pedestrian crossing equipped with sign markings), “Voice signal” (Choice 2: The crossing which is set up audio cue posts to remind pedestrians to pay attention to voice messages) and “Look Left Crossing” (Choice 3: a zebra crossing with the words "Look Left" to remind pedestrians to observe). Scenario analysis further indicates that, compared to the general pedestrian population, individuals with higher comfort perception levels exhibit a 23.6 % lower probability of choosing Choice 1 and an 18.9 % lower probability of selecting Choice 3. Additionally, the study reveals that personal characteristics have a notable impact on design preferences across various crossing facilities. These findings offer empirical evidence for the design of urban traffic infrastructure, providing valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and transportation authorities. They can leverage these insights to optimize pedestrian flow patterns and foster the development of sustainable urban mobility.