Promoting an energy-based pedestrian planning method: Explanation of desire paths in urban green areas

This paper addresses pedestrian navigation behaviour and the underlying motivations by analysing the phenomenon of spontaneous pedestrian trail formation in urban green areas, also known as desire paths. Existing computational tools fail to accurately reproduce trails, and the underlying principle of pedestrian behaviour is not known. In this paper we present a novel synergistic method to model spontaneous trail formation, employing a graph representation of arbitrary design area and the concept of the metabolic energy demand of walking, presuming pedestrians’ subconscious energy optimisation during way-finding. The method is validated via several benchmark tests with proven analytical solutions and demonstrated in two large-scale case studies with existing trails. Our findings corroborate the hypothesis that subconscious metabolic least-cost optimisation is the principle behind the phenomenon. Interference effects of trails known in this field could also be confirmed. The presented method is more than just a park planning tool. It highlights the importance of incorporating pedestrians’ energy sensitivity in human-centred or walkable city design. Any planning tasks involving pedestrian traffic could be evaluated on this energy principle and considered in subsequent design. • A generic numerical method is developed to model pedestrian desire paths. • Existing single and complex paths in urban parks are accurately reproduced. • Results indicate that pedestrians seek the route of lowest metabolic energy demand. • Theoretical insights into pedestrian behaviour help to develop better urban policies.