
Analysis of pedestrians behaviour based on simulated urban environments and its incorporation in risk modelling
The objective of this research is to explore the gaps found in literature in order to develop new and improved models for describing pedestrian and vehicle interaction at unsignalized crossings (no traffic lights), based on the analyses of the behavior of those users at specific situations. In this context, the research aims at, using a pedestrian simulator, to identify the risk factors behaviors and implement pedestrian behavioral attributes in a traffic microssimulation modelor environment. The models will address pedestrian behavior at intersection crossings, based on field and controlled experiments carried out in virtual simulated environments. The models will describe pedestrian-vehicle crash risk (function of geometry, individual characteristics and perceived risk, vehicle traffic, pedestrians traffic, type of road pavement) and will also be compatible in form with algorithms used in microsimulation tools. Additionally, 3D natural movement of pedestrians will be modelled and incorporated in simulated environments to support the development of pedestrians’ crowd and friction models. Finally, a simulation model package will be reached as a tool to be used by technician and researchers. It is important to remark that results of this research may be used to promote educational measures and in this way to promote road safety.
Coordinator
Elisabete Freitas
efreitas@civil.uminho.pt