Integrating Four Human Senses into Highway Landscape Process: A System Approach

Abstract

Current highway landscape design guidelines focus only on the visual aspect of the landscape. This paper presents a comprehensive framework for highway landscape planning/design that considers all four senses (vision, sound, touch, and smell). The framework includes advanced technologies, such as electroencephalograms, electromyograms, galvanic skin response, and light detection and ranging that are used to evaluate the and physiological aspects of all users (drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists). In addition, two new elements are included in the framework: landscape consistency and the pavement as a landscape. The traditional landscape applications (structural features and transportation elements) and the emerging applications (tunnels, freeways, pedestrian paths, and cyclist paths) are described. Important landscape considerations, including sustainability, traffic safety, persons with disabilities, and education and research are discussed. The proposed framework, which reflects emerging developments in China, Europe, and other countries, should be of interest to highway practitioners involved in highway landscaping design.