A pedestrian OD (origin-destination) survey is a useful technique for analysing pedestrian movement patterns in a specific area, identifying the most commonly used routes, and assessing the effectiveness of pedestrian infrastructure. When conducted in enclosed places such as pedestrian zones, underpasses, and transportation hubs, the survey is extremely valuable in optimising infrastructure design for pedestrian-oriented environments, ensuring effective mobility management, and increasing overall pedestrian safety.
Effective origin-destination data is critical for determining pedestrian flow patterns in various places. By tracking the starting and ending points of the pedestrian route, this survey gives useful insights for the analysis of pedestrian mobility. The information gathered includes pedestrian volume, direction, and time of day, which is critical for determining pedestrian demand and infrastructure requirements.
The survey can be carried out in a variety of ways, including with hand counts, video recordings, GPS tracking, and automatic sensors. Manual counts, on the other hand, are the most widely used method since they are less expensive and allow for the collection of more precise data on pedestrian behaviour and patterns.
The information gathered from pedestrian OD surveys can be used to improve pedestrian infrastructure design and management, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the overall pedestrian experience. It gives crucial insights into pedestrian behaviour and movement patterns, which can be used to optimise the design of pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks, crossings, and pedestrian signals.
It can, for instance, be used to detect regions where pedestrians tend to cross at risky locations, such as mid-blocks, and to build suitable interventions, such as marked crossings or raised platforms. Additionally, pedestrian OD surveys can assist in identifying high pedestrian traffic and developing solutions to reduce congestion and increase pedestrian safety.