Forecasting the Quality of Service of Bogota’s Sidewalks from Pedestrian Perceptions: An Ordered Probit MIMIC Approach

Abstract

A variety of different pedestrian performance or service indicators (PPSI), such as the pedestrian level of service (PLOS), or quality of service (QoS), have been developed to evaluate pedestrian infrastructure. Although modeling approaches vary (e.g., ordinal least squares, scoring system), the great majority use on-site measurable attributes, such as sidewalk width or adjacent traffic, to estimate the PPSI. However, most of these models have been developed without jointly considering objective and subjective variables and their interactions. This study had two objectives: (i) to develop a model that simultaneously uses objective and subjective variables to estimate the pedestrian perception of sidewalks’ QoS in Bogota, Colombia, and (ii) to identify the interactions between objective variables and pedestrian perceptions of sidewalk attributes. To do so, data was gathered from 1056 users of 30 sidewalks in the city and an Ordered Probit Multiple Indicator and Multiple Cause model was estimated and validated using match score, error distribution, and chi squared test. Using the model, it was possible to correctly forecast the perceived QoS in 26 of the 30 sidewalks, considering the interaction between users’ characteristics and on-site sidewalk measured attributes with four latent variables ( sidewalk characteristics, surrounding, discomfort, and externalities) based on pedestrian perceptions. We also proposed guidelines that provide decision makers with the tools to identify which sidewalk attributes actually influence pedestrian perception of QoS.

A Stated Preference Survey for Evaluating Young Pedestrians’ Preferences on Walkways

“…Among the variables included in the model, the environment can be considered as the most important aspect for young pedestrians. This result is also amply confirmed by other studies in the literature [26,27]. In particular, "environment" is one of the most relevant attributes, especially when its definition also includes the concept of security [28].…”

Power of User Perception on Pedestrian Quality of Service

“…If the goal of sidewalk design would be less normative (attaining standards) and it shifts to creating approachable and attractive sidewalks, using walker perceptions to relate to QoS (or other target variables such as satisfaction or comfort) would be indispensable. In relation to developing QoS evaluation or forecasting models using perceptions, advanced techniques such as Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) such as the one applied by Vallejo-Borda et al can be the path to be followed ( 50 ). In both cases, this paper raises an interesting discussion on the general approach and philosophy of complete streets manuals.…”

“…In an attempt to fill this gap, Fernández-Heredia et al suggested that including user perceptions to mode choice models could improve their performance ( 49 ). Furthermore, Vallejo-Borda et al proposed a model that contemplates these environmental stimuli to forecast the pedestrian QoS ( 50 ). However, it is not common to find models that include perceptions to estimate QoS in the literature.…”

A Two‐Stage Data‐Driven Spatiotemporal Analysis to Predict Failure Risk of Urban Sewer Systems Leveraging Machine Learning Algorithms

“…From a larger perspective, results presented herein constitute a building block to the planning of urban renewal interventions. The latter, in synchrony with other urban structures analyses (e.g., trees, highways, cycling paths, or sidewalks [Rodriguez‐Valencia, Barrero, Ortiz‐Ramirez, & Vallejo‐Borda, 2020; Vallejo‐Borda, Cantillo, & Rodriguez‐Valencia, 2020]), represent an opportunity for urban renewal, while decreasing the risk of failure and improving the perception of sewer system quality of service (Vallejo‐Borda, Ortiz‐Ramirez, Rodriguez‐Valencia, Hurtubia, & de D. Ortúzar, 2020).…”