Advances in Understanding Pedestrian Dynamics for Urban Sustainability

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Walking is the most basic and ancient mode of transportation that plays a key role in the sustainability of an urban environment. However, there is a big research gap in our understanding of various aspects of pedestrian walking behaviour, both at individual- and collectively at flow-level. For the sustainable planning, design, and operations of urban pedestrian facilities this gap needs to be addressed. The proposed research programme is a unique programme that addresses these issues in a comprehensive manner by developing automated data collection and analysis methods, advanced modelling methodologies, and advanced simulation techniques. We take a multi-disciplinary and holistic view to the problem and propose integrated solutions to the multi-faceted problem. The proposed research will result in development of tools that can be used by the decision makers and planners in the municipalities, public transit agencies, and airports; suggest policies that can improve level of service, decrease GHG/noise exposure, and improve the sustainability of pedestrian facilities; address the challenges associated with changing demographics of Canada; and train high quality researchers and professionals. To our knowledge, this research programme will be the first of its kind in North America, which comprehensively addresses all the major dimensions associated with the planning, design, and operations of the infrastructure for the primary mode of walking.**