Route Selection for People with Reduced Mobility: A Ranking Method Based on Urban Environment Conditions

Abstract

The study presents the developed method of ranking ready-made pedestrian routes based on the characteristics of adjacent pedestrian zone elements and spaces. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that the existing approaches of map aggregators to the formation of pedestrian routes are focused on the speed of movement, without taking into account the individual characteristics of areas in terms of walkability and safety. The study consists of three main stages: qualitative data collection and processing, quantitative data collection and analysis of the entire empirical base of the study, and ranking of routes based on the obtained data. For the first stage, the empirical base is formed on the basis of interviews and observations, and for the second stage also by conducting a sociological survey. Qualitative data is used to select pedestrian infrastructure elements and spaces. Based on the quantitative data, the selected elements are scored based on respondents' opinions and their experience with each element. Logistic regression and score distribution function are used to determine the comfort score of the element. The method is tested on a social group of people with prams and people without mobility limitations. The result of the study is a method and a developed formula that allows to form an assessment of an element taking into account the respondent's experience of interaction with it. The study revealed differences in acceptable levels of comfort and safety for the two groups under consideration, one of which is legally classified as a low-mobility category of the population.