Urban Walkability and Pedestrian Stress: A Sensor-Based Study Across Three Sites
- Conference
- Location
-
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Publication Date
-
June 22, 2025
- Start Date
-
June 22, 2025
- End Date
-
August 15, 2025
- Conference Session
-
Bridging Education and Real-World Impact: Training, Career Development, and Urban Systems
- Tagged Division
-
Industrial Engineering Division (IED)
- Page Count
-
17
- Permanent URL
-
https://peer.asee.org/57753
Paper Authors
Rumena Begum University of Louisville
I am Rumena Begum, a PhD candidate in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at University of Louisville. I completed my MS in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering from Montana State University, USA, and my BS in Industrial and Production Engineering from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh. My research interest include human-machine interaction, systems engineering, computational modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
Faisal Aqlan
University of Louisville
orcid.org/0000-0002-0695-5364
Dr. Faisal Aqlan is an Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering at The University of Louisville. He received his Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering form The State University of New York at Binghamton.
Jay B. Brockman University of Notre Dame
Dr. Jay Brockman is the Associate Dean of Engineering for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and previously worked for Intel Corporation. He is also a founder of
Hazel Marie Youngstown State University - Rayen School of Engineering
Hazel Marie, Ph.D., P.E. received her B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas in Austin, her M.S. from Youngstown State University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Akron. She is currently Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between urban walkability and human stress across three distinct sites utilizing data collected from wearable sensors. The objective is to assess how urban design. and environmental factors influence human stress during walking. Participants were equipped with wearable sensors to monitor physiological indicators of stress (e.g., heart rate variability, etc.) as they walked through different urban environments. Data was collected in real time to capture fluctuations in stress levels and provide insights into how specific urban design features impact pedestrian well-being. To facilitate the data collection and analysis, walking areas were divided into blocks, and urban design features were grouped into six categories such as imageability, enclosure, human scale, transparency, complexity, and safety. Each city has different features, depending on the issues that were considered most pressing for that city. To supplement sensor stress data, the study also utilized surveys to gather participants’ perceptions of safety, comfort, and environmental quality. Using regression analysis, researchers identified the urban design categories that have a significant impact on stress scores and their frequency. Results showed that increased stress is correlated with poorly designed walkways, while lower stress was linked to well-maintained paths and green spaces. Transparency and enclosure were identified as significant contributors to pedestrian stress. The findings from one of the three cities add another dimension to the understanding of walkability and stress, highlighting that there are factors beyond basic infrastructure such as noise levels and tree canopy can play a significant role in influencing pedestrian well-being. Findings from this research can facilitate targeted infrastructure planning and investment, better mobility, and ultimately improve the quality of life in urban areas. Future research should consider a wider range of environmental and social factors, and how different factors interact over time to influence stress levels.
Begum, R., & Aqlan, F., & Brockman, J. B., & Marie, H. (2025, June), Urban Walkability and Pedestrian Stress: A Sensor-Based Study Across Three Sites Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . https://peer.asee.org/57753
ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 2025 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015