Exploring pedestrian route choice preferences by demographic groups: Analysis of street attributes in Chicago

This study examines pedestrian route choice behavior, focusing on how different sociodemographic groups vary in their preferences for street environments by using GPS trajectories collected from smartphone-based travel surveys in Chicago, Illinois. A Path Size Logit Model is used to estimate pedestrians’ preferences for walking in different types of environments. In addition, the trade-off concept is employed to measure the additional distance pedestrians are willing to walk in response to specific street attributes. The results show that pedestrians generally prefer routes with more amenities, parks, and sky visibility but avoid those with many turns and steep slopes. Furthermore, the study provides segmented models based on gender, age, and household income, revealing distinct preferences and aversions to these street features among different demographic groups. While the overarching results align with previous studies, this research contributes significantly to understanding pedestrian route choice decisions by highlighting the diverse behaviors of users. These findings are valuable for urban planners and policymakers, offering guidance in creating pedestrian-friendly environments that cater to the varied needs and preferences of a diverse population.