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Visual characteristics of roads: A literature review of people’s perception and Norwegian design practice

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  • Blumentrath, Christina
  • Tveit, Mari Sundli

Abstract

Several projects and measures have been developed to enhance the design of public roads. Nevertheless, the critics of their design remain numerous. To further the discussion on road aesthetics, this paper makes suggestions for a more consistent terminology and presents a theoretical framework for assessing the visual quality of roads. Based on a literature review, twelve visual characteristics are identified: coherence, imageability, simplicity, visibility, maintenance, naturalness, integration, contrast, variety, aesthetics of flow, legibility and orientation. These characteristics are presented and described and where possible their theoretical and empirical backing is given. Only a few visual characteristics in road design have been subjected to empirical perception studies, so their importance for road users and residents remains unclear.

Suggested Citation

  • Blumentrath, Christina & Tveit, Mari Sundli, 2014. "Visual characteristics of roads: A literature review of people’s perception and Norwegian design practice," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 58-71.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:59:y:2014:i:c:p:58-71
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2013.10.024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. McAndrews, Carolyn & Deakin, Elizabeth & Florez, Josefina, 2006. "Using Community Surveys and Focus Groups to Inform Context Sensitive Design," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt21v5s7n4, University of California Transportation Center.
    2. Hallo, Jeffrey C. & Manning, Robert E., 2009. "Transportation and recreation: a case study of visitors driving for pleasure at Acadia National Park," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 17(6), pages 491-499.
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    Cited by:

    1. Weiting Shan & Chunliang Xiu & Yining Meng, 2022. "How to Design Greenway on Urban Land Utilization: Linking Place Preference, Perceived Health Benefit, and Environmental Perception," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-20, October.
    2. Sklenicka, Petr & Zouhar, Jan, 2018. "Predicting the visual impact of onshore wind farms via landscape indices: A method for objectivizing planning and decision processes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 445-454.

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