Perceived environmental safety and alertness in virtual urban environments

The current study builds on the past experimental design but applies virtual reality for control over the manipulation. Perceived walkability and the experience of walking are vital factors when considering promotion of walking as a mode of transportation and healthy exercise. Both of these factors are linked with the perceived environmental safety and alertness to individuals’ surroundings. An earlier field study found support for possible effects of urban lighting on these factors. We tested the effect of two lighting conditions in virtual urban environments (daytime and nightime) on perceived environmental safety, alertness and arousal, measured through self-report, performance, and physiological measures (n = 62). Accuracy of responses (i.e., alertness) was lower in the nighttime virtual environment. Perceived environmental safety was highest in the daytime virtual environment, as was energetic arousal. Tense arousal did not respond to the manipulation, but concepts of energetic and tense arousal showed clear, opposite relationships with perceived environmental safety. Type of arousal plays a role in perceived environmental safety; a major factor influencing perceived walkability. This understanding can help promote walking as a sustainable mode of transportation and a form of healthy exercise. urban lighting, alertness, perceived environmental safety, arousal, anxiety. • Response accuracy (i.e., alertness) was higher in the daytime virtual urban environment. • Perceived environmental safety was higher in the daytime virtual urban environment. • Type of arousal important for studying perceived environmental safety.