Latent Traits Influencing Perceived Risk and Risk-taking Behavior of Pedestrians in Dhaka: Insights from a Structural Equation Modelling Study

Dhaka, one of the most densely populated cities of the Global South Asia, has a high volume of pedestrian movement throughout the day. Rapid and unplanned urbanization within the past few decades has resulted in limited infrastructural growth. Pedestrian safety is predominantly influenced by two factors: inadequate infrastructure and non-compliance with traffic regulations. A more recent, emerging concern involves the compounded effects of digital distraction and psychological strain among younger urban populations. A key question is whether young pedestrians' risk-taking stems from ingrained habit or is a compelled response to urban pressure. The analysis suggests that temporally-specific risks, driven by these immediate pressures, surpass those arising from habitual behavior. This study focuses on finding the underlying factors of pedestrian temporal risk-taking behavior by analyzing the survey results collected from 203 pedestrians using a structural equation modelling (SEM) framework. The research particularly emphasizes the young generatio and shows that temporal risk-taking behavior is strongly influenced by urban stress arising from Dhaka’s overwhelming city environment and by digital distraction. Socio-demographic attributes showed limited influence, underscoring the importance of behavioral drivers in youth crossing decisions. Based on these findings, the study offers youth-centered insights and policy recommendations aimed at reducing temporal risk and improving pedestrian safety in Dhaka.