Behavioral models to identify factors affecting walking barriers in work trips (Case study: Qazvin City)

مهندسی عمران فردوسی

Article 2, Volume 37, Issue 4 - Serial Number 48, December 2024, Pages 19-34   

Document Type: Original Article

DOI: 10.22067/jfcei.2024.87996.1308

Authors

Hamid Mirzahossein^* ; Soheil Rezashoar; Farzad Moradi

Department of Civil - Transportation Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU). Postal Code: 34148 - 96818, Qazvin, Iran.

Abstract

Walking is a sustainable transportation method that can alleviate traffic congestion and reduce air pollution. However, various barriers still hinder walking, especially during business trips. This study investigates the factors contributing to the reluctance to walk among citizens in Qazvin city, focusing on five specific barriers: laziness or the desire to wake up late, physical disorders, lack of interest in walking, concerns about maintaining a neat appearance at work, and reluctance to be seen on the street. Using ordered logit models, these barriers were analyzed across three categories: socio-economic, travel, and environmental characteristics. The analysis, based on 60 questionnaires, revealed that socio-economic characteristics had the highest number of significant variables, with six being particularly influential. Notably, the walkability index negatively correlated with laziness or the desire to wake up late, lack of interest in walking, and concerns about appearance, while the total time spent had a positive correlation with physical disorders, lack of interest, neat appearance, and reluctance to be seen on the street. The findings suggest that lower walkability in residential areas increases concerns about appearance due to factors like sweating, which discourages walking. Improving infrastructure and reducing travel time could enhance walkability and encourage more walking. Urban planners should consider these factors when designing city layouts to ensure that workplaces and amenities are accessible by foot, thereby promoting walking as a viable mode of transportation.

Keywords

Walking; Ordered logit model; Walkability index; Qazvin city

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