Desire lines user behaviour: Initial research

Desire lines are the most direct and shortest walking route between modes of transport but not necessarily the safest and designated route. Where the provided route is longer and deviates from this desire line then a proportion of users will not use it, electing instead to take the shortest route.

The purpose of this project is to study the route choice behaviour of pedestrians and their attitudes towards desire lines around public transport interchanges. The outcomes of which will assist infrastructure designers to provide better outcomes for users with respect to pedestrian routes at interchanges.

This work will complement the Department of Transport Victoria’s Strategy and its Road Safety Strategy and is aimed to improve the pedestrian and vulnerable road users’ experience when using the public transport systems.

Participants

• Department of Transport Victoria
• University of NSW
  

Project objectives

The goal of this project is to deliver a people-focussed connectivity to the public transport system that enhances a simple, safe, and connected journey for the vulnerable and unprotected road users.

The objectives of this project are twofold:

1. Identify the behavioural and socio-demographic factors affecting the choice of desire lines versus the designated pedestrian routes at the public transport stations and level crossing interchanges.
2. Identify the pedestrian connector routes design requirements based on the in-field behavioural evidence and the literature review.

The outcomes will assist infrastructure designers to provide better outcomes for users with respect to pedestrian routes at interchanges. This project will complement the Vic DoT Strategy and Vic Road Safety Strategy and is aimed to improve the pedestrian and vulnerable roads users experience when using the public transport systems.

Please note …

This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!