A Multi-Method Approach to the Interpretation of Pedestrian Spatio-Temporal Behaviour

Abstract

The development of mobile spatial-information technologies requires a profound understanding of pedestrian spatio-temporal behaviour. In a currently ongoing project we use several empirical methods following the concept of “across- method” triangulation to comprehensively study human spatial behaviour. In this contribution we will introduce a multi-method approach including a combination of localisation and tracking techniques (GPS, Bluetooth, unobtrusive observation) as well as enquiries concerning intentions, lifestyle attributes, socio-demographic characteristics, route quality preferences, and preferred way-finding strategies. The combination of qualitative-interpretative and quantitative-statistical data will lead to the determination of a typology of lifestyle-based pedestrianmobility styles, which can serve as a basis to customise navigational and environmental information to indi- vidual needs, and to create pedestrian interest profiles in ubiquitous environments. We present experimental results of the first of two consecutive empirical phases based on a data set containing of more than 100 trajectories of people observed by path following in an indoor and outdoor environment.