An Examination of Pedestrian Trip Behaviour in Underground Pedestrian Systems

Abstract

Underground pedestrian systems (UPS) that provide alternative walking options for pedestrians have been implemented in a considerable number of cities across the world. These systems were found to have markedly improved the convenience and ease of city life in terms of transport, economic activities, and social activities because they appear to be used throughout the day by a large number of pedestrians with different purposes. China has seen continuous UPS development over the past 30 years. However, as a relatively new form of pedestrian systems, usage patterns of UPS remain largely unexplored. In this research, surveys of pedestrians' trip behaviour related to UPS usage in Shanghai were conducted. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed. The research indicates that there are a diversity of users of UPS in terms of gender, age, education level, employment status and occupation, and personal income. Shopping and employment were two main reasons why respondents used the UPS. Subways and commerce are two vital factors related to UPS usage. These factors provide a functional basis for the UPS, and the UPS in turn creates both a catalytic and synergistic relationship that reinforces the performance of these factors.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and the editor for their valuable comments and suggestions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 In the research of North America where UPS and skywalk systems received extensive development, the underground and elevated pedestrian systems were sometimes investigated together as grade separation pedestrian systems. But literature specifically targeting the development and usage patterns of UPS is scarce.

2 The number of respondents who visited the underground shopping streets in People's Square UPS is the highest among the three locations because the People's Square UPS includes three underground shopping streets with different and unique features.

3 A temporary stall is a phenomenon within Shanghai's UPS. The prices of merchandise in the temporary stalls are very competitive. The types of merchandise that temporary stalls provide are cheap, diverse and convenient. The stall owners are also very approachable and satisfy consumer demand from Shanghai's floating population, residents/employees with low incomes and students. But temporary stalls could challenge the desire to maintain order, a uniformity of visual appearance and the viability of formal commercial components within the UPS.