What’s your type? A taxonomy of pedestrian route choice behaviour in cities

Abstract

Pedestrian route choice behaviour has captivated academic inquiry for over a century. Its study has shaped urban planning and influenced the design of more sustainable urban spaces and the discourse on just cities. While existing research has primarily examined the influence of configurational factors or urban elements on pedestrian movement, their interplay remains poorly understood. This paper addresses this gap by examining how the configurational properties of the street network and the distribution of urban elements shape pedestrian route choice behaviour. Walking tasks and in-depth interviews were conducted in Poznań (Poland) with 18 participants. The 36 routes and their attributes were tracked using GPS devices, while the interviews provided insights into the participants’ decision-making processes and preferences. The analysis resulted in the definition of a taxonomy of pedestrian types based on their route choice behaviour. These types encompass various preferences and strategies, including prioritising comfort, rational decisions, spontaneity, reliance on landmarks, and environmental cues. Moreover, the analysis revealed variations in route's geometry, length, and predictability across the five types. Overall, our findings emphasise the multifaceted nature of pedestrian behaviour as influenced by a combination of “objective” environmental factors, subjective perceptions, and emergent dynamic factors. Elements like weather, crowds, traffic, noise, seasonality, and time of day emerged as additional but significant determinants of decisions. Finally, while green areas and landmarks did impact route choice behaviour, other more nuanced elements - such as paving patterns, storefronts, or prior experiences and memories - also played a role in shaping the participants’ routes, adding further uncertainty around pedestrian behavioural patterns.