Search Results (50)

Rail transit station areas are high-volume public spaces where pedestrian efficiency directly affects the operational quality, equity, and sustainability of public transport systems. However, temporarily mobility-impaired (TMI) pedestrians, such as people carrying luggage or pushing strollers, are often overlooked in station-area pedestrian design. This study quantifies walking-efficiency attenuation among TMI groups and identifies key micro-spatial factors influencing their mobility. Based on 96 typical paths around metro stations in Xiamen, China, real-world walking experiments were conducted with 566 volunteers, producing 1152 valid observations. A Random Forest model was used to predict walking efficiency under different spatial attributes and assess factor importance. The results show that TMI pedestrians walk significantly slower than unimpaired pedestrians and can become a major bottleneck in station-area circulation. Stroller users are most affected by ramp shape, while luggage carriers are particularly sensitive to path width. Partial dependence analysis indicates that a path width of 4.2–4.7 m and a ramp shape factor of 0.2–0.35 support higher efficiency and equity. The findings provide quantitative evidence for universal design and offer practical guidance for sustainable, inclusive, and people-centered transit-oriented development. Full article

Biological cellular structures exhibit a high degree of systematic organization in both morphological configuration and functional coordination, providing important biomimetic insights for urban spatial organization. To address issues in traditional high-density residential areas, such as homogeneous spatial structures and insufficient accessibility of public spaces, this study proposes a planning method for five-minute living circle residential areas based on a biomimetic cellular structure within the framework of space syntax theory. Taking a residential area in Wuhan, China, as a case study, a cell-like spatial structure model was constructed. Convex space analysis, axial analysis, and visibility analysis were conducted using Depthmap software to quantitatively evaluate key syntactic indicators, including integration, connectivity, mean depth, and choice. The results show that, compared with the original planning scheme, the biomimetic cellular planning model significantly optimized the spatial structure of the residential area by relying on the functionally synergistic mechanisms of selective permeability of the cell membrane, whole-area permeation of the cytoplasm, central regulation of the nucleus, distributed coordination of organelles, and efficient transport through cellular microfilaments. In the sample living circle, the overall integration increased from 1.27 to 1.64, the mean depth decreased from 3.79 to 3.18, and spatial connectivity increased from 3.74 to 5.44. Meanwhile, the synergy of the road network increased from 0.44 to 0.86, indicating marked improvements in spatial accessibility, connectivity, and the degree of coordination within the spatial structure. In addition, the visibility analysis showed that the pedestrian aggregation capacity of the public core space was enhanced, and the spatial vitality of public activity spaces in the residential area was improved. The findings demonstrate that the spatial organization model based on biomimetic cellular principles can effectively enhance spatial efficiency and social vitality in five-minute living circle residential areas, providing a quantifiable design method and theoretical framework for bio-inspired urban planning. Full article

The development of metro-led urban underground public spaces (UUPSs) provides urban residents with extensive pedestrian-friendly activity areas sheltered from rain, snow, strong winds, and other extreme weather conditions. Although an increasing number of people are engaging in daily commercial and leisure activities within UUPSs, problems such as inconvenient transfer, poor visibility, and a lack of natural light, which indicate poor environmental quality, have led to an uneven distribution of user behavior, thereby reducing the efficiency of space utilization. Our aim in this study was to predict UUPS utilization rates by investigating the relationship between UUPS environmental attributes and user behavior characteristics and preferences. Six typical UUPSs in Wuhan were selected as case studies. User behavior data were collected using panoramic camera recordings, on-site observations, and space syntax methods, while spatial environmental factors were quantified. The correlation between various factors and multi-dimensional user behavior characteristics was discussed, and a Random Forest model was established to predict behavioral preferences. Our results indicate that accessibility and visibility are fundamental factors influencing user behavior characteristics, while the impact of landscape elements is relatively low. Regarding behavioral preference prediction, UUPS environmental features achieved the highest prediction accuracy for leisure behaviors, whereas the predictive performance for sports activities was lower. In this study, we reveal the influence of UUPS environmental factors on user behavior characteristics and predict preference patterns of different behaviors for space types. Focusing on the behavioral needs of space users, we provide a reference for the subsequent human-centered design of UUPSs. Full article

Since the 1970s, accelerated urban development in Doha has contributed to a disjointed and inefficient city structure. While the Doha Metro has begun to address spatial and mobility-related challenges, planners continue to call for a more integrated, strategic approach to ensure safe, accessible, and efficient transit connectivity. In response, the Qatar National Development Framework provides a long-term vision for sustainable urban transformation, with a central aim of embedding the Metro system within the existing urban context and aligning expansion with Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), which promotes dense, multifunctional, pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods along transit corridors. Within this context, this study investigates how TOD strategies can enhance quality of life in mixed-use environments, focusing on the area surrounding Al Mansoura metro station and the adjacent Najma and Al Mansoura districts. Using the Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM), the analysis assesses spatial structure across density, spatial diversity, and connectivity, and derives evidence-based recommendations to improve livability and support sustainable revitalization. To broaden regional applicability, the study also compares Al Mansoura with Olaya in Riyadh—two mid-to-late 20th-century, high-density mixed-use districts undergoing TOD-driven transition—highlighting how spatial form, infrastructure legacy, and urban governance shape TOD outcomes and inform adaptable TOD frameworks for Gulf cities. Full article

The increasing reliance on motorised traffic has led to significant environmental, health and urban mobility challenges for pedestrians and cyclists. Despite growing awareness of the benefits of active travel, including improved public health, reduced carbon emissions, and enhanced urban liveability, many cities struggle to implement effective interventions that prioritise non-motorised mobility due to inadequate infrastructure, safety concerns and car-oriented policies. It is essential to introduce strategic interventions, such as traffic calming measures, dedicated cycle lanes, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and policy reforms to encourage sustainable mobility choices. This paper examined the impacts of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure schemes on sustainability and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) at the Trafford Road corridor in Greater Manchester and Wood Street in Wakefield city centre, respectively. Most of the projected trips from the hypothetical office building will occur on the western and northern leg of the Haden Circus roundabout, with approximately 50% on the inward traffic of the western leg towards the roundabout and approximately 40% going outwards. The bicycle infrastructure scheme in the Trafford Road corridor observed an increase of up to 34% in bicycle traffic flow. On the other hand, the pedestrian infrastructure scheme on Wood Street caused a gradual increase in bicycle traffic on Wood Street from 174 to 356 per hour but had an insignificant influence on the pedestrian flow. Many United Kingdom (UK) councils have proposed traffic calming schemes in the city centre to enhance accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, improve urban air quality and promote business and economic development. This paper examines how the schemes increase pedestrian and cyclist footfall within the traffic-calming zone while increasing traffic on adjacent roads. Restricting motorised traffic to prioritise cycling and walking improves public health, reduces pollution, enhances road safety, boosts local economies, and creates more liveable urban spaces, all while promoting sustainable and efficient transportation. Full article

Contemporary urbanisation in hot-arid cities presents coupled challenges related to sustainability, spatial efficiency, and climate resilience. This study applies Research by Design as a preliminary methodological approach to adapt the superblock typology for Riyadh’s Al-Raed neighbourhood, integrating GIS-based territorial diagnosis with Grasshopper parametric iterations. Sixteen geospatial layers, including land use, density, road hierarchy, transit access, service distribution, green cover, and climatic exposure, inform attractor-based scenario generation and a structured comparative evaluation framework assessing regulatory compliance, human scale, connectivity, and environmental and economic feasibility. The resulting loop-and-courtyard configuration reorganises local streets to strengthen first- and last-mile access, shaded pedestrian continuity, and microclimatic comfort, while supporting Saudi Vision 2030 programs, such as the Quality of Life Program, National Transport and Logistics Strategy, Riyadh Public Transport Program, and Saudi Green Initiative. Quantitative spatial indicators are interpreted alongside design-based morphological reasoning to inform spatial decisions, acknowledging climatic and cultural constraints. This study contributes a reproducible, policy-relevant digital workflow for neighborhood-scale urban transformation in Riyadh and comparable hot-arid contexts. As a preliminary Research by Design phase, it structures iterative scenarios and a structured comparative evaluation framework, providing a foundation for subsequent quantitative and empirical validation. Full article

The effectiveness of transit-oriented development (TOD) in achieving emission reductions and energy savings is highly influenced by policy frameworks, the accessibility of sustainable transport systems, and the degree of land use integration. This study investigated the implementation of TOD in Dukuh Atas along the Sudirman–Thamrin corridor in Jakarta to assess its role in promoting energy efficiency and lowering emissions. The analysis incorporated carbon emission calculations, annualized traffic volumes, and emissions data, alongside land use metrics such as the floor area ratio (FAR), job-to-housing ratio, and point-of-interest (POI) density. The findings indicate that while TOD implementation in the corridor is still evolving, there were positive outcomes in several key areas. Energy efficiency measures have been partially realized through the operation of electric buses in the bus rapid transit (BRT) system, electrified rail modes, such as commuter lines, mass rapid transit (MRT), and light rail transit (LRT), and improved pedestrian infrastructure, as reflected in a favorable Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index (PEQI). Public transport ridership has significantly increased, contributing to a measurable reduction in emissions from private vehicle use. The land use analysis showed that medium- to high-density housing dominated (78.94% FAR), with a job-to-housing ratio of approximately 1:2. This study also found that the emission estimates were moderately sensitive to changes in both emission factors (EFs) and vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT). Overall, the results suggest that TOD can effectively contribute to energy savings and emission reductions by enhancing public transport usage and reducing dependence on motorcycles. Moreover, the efficacy of modal shifting in the Global South is significantly influenced by population mobility characteristics, which are intricately linked to socio-cultural factors, alongside government initiatives to improve the quality of mass public transportation systems (e.g., integration, availability, service coverage, affordable fares, and inclusive design). Full article

Autonomous vehicles represent a transformative technology in modern transportation, promising enhanced safety, efficiency, and accessibility in mobility systems. This paper presents a comprehensive autonomous vehicle system designed specifically for Vietnam’s traffic conditions, featuring a multi-layered approach to perception, decision-making, and control. The system utilizes dual 2D LiDARs, camera vision, and GPS sensing to navigate complex urban environments. A key contribution is the development of a specialized segmentation model that accurately identifies Vietnam-specific traffic signs, lane markings, road features, and pedestrians. The system implements a hierarchical decision-making architecture, combining long-term planning based on GPS and map data with short-term reactive planning derived from a bird’s-eye view transformation of segmentation and LiDAR data. The control system modulates the speed and steering angle through a validated model that ensures stable vehicle operation across various traffic scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate the system’s effectiveness in real-world conditions, achieving a high accuracy rate in terms of segmentation and detection and an exact response in navigation tasks. The proposed system shows robust performance in Vietnam’s unique traffic environment, addressing challenges such as mixed traffic flow and country-specific road infrastructure. Full article

Pedestrian accessibility of public space is a crucial basis for ensuring public equality in sharing resources and enhancing spatial vitality and utilization efficiency. This research applied complex network theory to examine pedestrian accessibility in industrial heritage renovated public spaces, integrating the node efficiency model with an improved gravity model to propose the node accessibility model. By taking Xi’an Banpo International Art District as a case study, 13 public spaces were selected and categorized into categories to identify the current characteristics and key deficiencies. The results showed that public space pedestrian accessibility shows a positive correlation with the quality of the spaces, though individual nodes may deviate due to network effects. Correlation analyses indicated that an appropriate road setting in public spaces contributed to positive pedestrian accessibility of the whole district; however, poor spatial environment and lack of arts and cultural atmosphere were key reasons for low pedestrian accessibility. In response, four strategies for improving the pedestrian accessibility of public spaces in industrial heritage renovated districts were proposed, which included industrialization of public transport space, peripheral space integration, entrance space transition, and internal space enhancement. This study provides scientific methodology and theoretical guidance for the optimization of public space in industrial heritage renovated projects and contributes new insights into industrial heritage preservation and urban space renewal. Full article

During peak hours, the large-scale and spatiotemporal imbalance of passenger flow in subway stations results in passenger crowding, queuing issues, and uneven utilization of facility capacities. These problems not only decrease the overall throughput efficiency of the station but also increase safety risks related to large passenger gatherings. This research constructed a pedestrian facility network for subway station access and egress by defining minimum capacity control units of node facilities (including station entrances/exits, fare gates, security check machines, and staircases/escalators) as network nodes and the connecting channels among these nodes were assumed as edges. With the optimization objectives of minimizing both the average walking time of passengers in the pedestrian facility network and the risk of passenger flow aggregation at nodes, an integrated optimization model for passenger flow control and service capacity configuration in the pedestrian facility network of subway stations is established. The ε-constraint method is employed to transform it into a single-objective linear integer programming model, which is then directly solved using the Gurobi optimizer version 11.0. The following conclusion were drawn form a case study on the National Convention and Exhibition Center Station of Shanghai Metro: compared with pre-optimization conditions, the optimized solution reduced the average walking time of access/egress passengers during peak hours by 11%, decreased the number of nodes with queue overflow by 76%, lowered node-level crowding risks by 45%, and reduced facility supply–demand balance standard deviation by 22.8%. Compared to single-objective optimization approaches, the proposed method only increased the average walking time by 8% while decreasing the number of overflow-prone nodes by 60% and crowding risk by 26.1%. These findings provided scientific support for the formulation of crowd management strategies and optimization of operational control in subway stations under heavy passenger flow conditions. Full article

Drive-through establishments are becoming increasingly prominent in urban transport systems; however, their impacts on traffic generation, spatial form, and sustainability remain insufficiently understood. Conventional trip generation manuals often rely on static predictors, such as gross floor area, which can misrepresent demand in high-turnover, convenience-driven contexts and fail to capture operational, behavioral, and environmental effects. This knowledge gap underscores the need for an integrated framework that supports both effective planning and congestion mitigation, particularly in cities experiencing rapid motorization and shifting mobility behaviors. This study investigated the evolving dynamics in trip generation associated with drive-through services and their influence on urban development patterns. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review, meta-analysis of queue data, cross-comparison of trip generation rates from international and Asian datasets, and case-based scenario modeling. The results revealed that drive-throughs intensify high-frequency, impulse-driven vehicle trips, thereby causing congestion, reducing pedestrian accessibility, and reinforcing auto-centric land use configurations, while also enhancing consumer convenience and commercial efficiency. This study contributes to the literature by synthesizing inconsistencies in regional datasets; introducing a systems-based framework that integrates structural, behavioral, and environmental determinants with road network topology; and outlining policy applications that align trip generation with zoning, design standards, and sustainable infrastructure planning. Full article

The advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) has accelerated the development of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in smart cities, playing a crucial role in optimizing traffic flow, enhancing road safety, and improving the driving experience. With urban traffic becoming increasingly complex, timely detection and response to congestion and accidents are critical to ensuring safety and situational awareness. This paper presents Passable, an intelligent and adaptive traffic light control system that monitors traffic conditions in real time using deep learning and computer vision. By analyzing images captured from cameras at traffic lights, Passable detects road incidents and dynamically adjusts signal timings based on current vehicle density. It also employs wireless communication to alert drivers and update a centralized dashboard accessible to traffic management authorities. A working prototype integrating both hardware and software components was developed and evaluated. Results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of designing an adaptive traffic signal control system that integrates incident detection, instantaneous communication, and immediate reporting to the relevant authorities. Such a design can enhance traffic efficiency and contribute to road safety. Future work will involve testing the system with real-world vehicular communication technologies on multiple coordinated intersections while integrating pedestrian and emergency vehicle detection. Full article

Understanding visitors’ outdoor activities in urban public spaces and their relationship with the physical environment is essential for improving the precision of public space design. This study, set in the context of Yangzhou, China, focuses on physical activity and other wellbeing behaviors in meso-scale waterfront public spaces, aiming to explore the characteristics of visitor behavior. A professional behavioral observation protocol was employed, combined with object detection and multi-object tracking algorithms, to systematically code visitor activities in the waterfront area. Subsequently, agent-based modeling (ABM) and three-dimensional isovist analysis (3D isovist) were introduced to construct a quantitative framework for assessing visual accessibility. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between facade Visual Exposure Time (seen from the observer) and isovist field area (seen from the object), providing strong evidence that visual accessibility is a primary causal driver of pedestrian behavior—independent of other causality. Based on these findings, this study proposes actionable design guidelines: “Prioritize small-scale, high-density waterfront building facade layouts to maximize visual efficiency” and “Leverage topographical variation along the waterfront by introducing cross-river visual corridors at intervals of ≤45 m”. The integrated analytical toolkit developed in this study—combining behavioral simulation with spatial–visual analysis—provides not only a theoretical foundation but also clear practical guidance for the fine-grained renewal and design of waterfront public spaces. Full article

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication is a fundamental technology in the development of intelligent transportation systems, encompassing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), infrastructure (V2I), and pedestrian (V2P) communications. This technology enables connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) to interact with their surroundings, significantly enhancing road safety, traffic efficiency, and driving comfort. However, as V2X communication becomes more widespread, it becomes a prime target for adversarial and persistent cyberattacks, posing significant threats to the security and privacy of CAVs. These challenges are compounded by the dynamic nature of vehicular networks and the stringent requirements for real-time data processing and decision-making. Much research is on using novel technologies such as machine learning, blockchain, and cryptography to secure V2X communications. Our survey highlights the security challenges faced by V2X communications and assesses current ML and blockchain-based solutions, revealing significant gaps and opportunities for improvement. Specifically, our survey focuses on studies integrating ML, blockchain, and multi-access edge computing (MEC) for low latency, robust, and dynamic security in V2X networks. Based on our findings, we outline a conceptual framework that synergizes ML, blockchain, and MEC to address some of the identified security challenges. This integrated framework demonstrates the potential for real-time anomaly detection, decentralized data sharing, and enhanced system scalability. The survey concludes by identifying future research directions and outlining the remaining challenges for securing V2X communications in the face of evolving threats. Full article

This paper reviews the variability of passenger service time (PST) at the platform–train interface (PTI), a critical performance indicator in metro systems shaped by the infrastructure design, affecting passenger behavior and accessibility. Despite its operational importance, PST remains underexplored in relation to crowd management strategies. This review synthesizes findings from empirical and experimental research to clarify the main factors influencing PST and their implications for platform-level interventions. Key contributors to PST variability include door width, gap dimensions, crowd density, and user characteristics such as mobility impairments. Design elements—such as platform edge doors, yellow safety lines, and vertical handrails—affect flow efficiency and spatial dynamics during boarding and alighting. Advanced tracking and simulation tools (e.g., PeTrack and YOLO-based systems) are identified as essential for evaluating pedestrian behavior and supporting Level of Service (LOS) analysis. To complement traditional LOS metrics, the paper introduces Level of Interaction (LOI) and a multidimensional LOS framework that captures spatial conflicts and user interaction zones. Control strategies such as platform signage, seating arrangements, and visual cues are also reviewed, with experimental evidence showing that targeted design interventions can reduce PST by up to 35%. The review highlights a persistent gap between academic knowledge and practical implementation. It calls for greater integration of empirical evidence into policy, infrastructure standards, and operational contracts. Ultimately, it advocates for human-centered, data-informed approaches to PTI planning that enhance efficiency, inclusivity, and resilience in high-demand transit environments. Full article