A Path Towards Sustainable Transport Research and Policy: A Case Study from Metropolitan City in India

The study highlights the significance of pedestrian travel behaviour modelling in developing sustainable transport policies and research in a metropolitan city in India. The rise in central funding has prompted the need for effective planning methods to aid policymakers in making sustainable decisions. By modelling pedestrian behaviour, policymakers can predict future pedestrian travel needs, allocate resources for pedestrian facilities, prioritize transportation projects, and assess the impact of increased pedestrian travel on other modes. A framework for pedestrian travel behaviour is essential to understand the factors influencing pedestrian behaviour, assess the effectiveness of walking incentives, and evaluate the impact of future transportation facilities, land use, and urban design on travel patterns, including transit usage. Taking Greater Mumbai as a study area, this study assesses the factors affecting an individual's walking frequency for both commuting and non-commuting purposes through an ordered response model. Using data collected from a 15-day activity travel survey of 126 households in Greater Mumbai in 2010, we used an ordered response model to examine various variables, such as demographic characteristics, built environment factors, and individuals to identify the specific factors that have a significant impact on walking frequency. The results show that factors such as pedestrian demographics, household demographics, residential location, and the built environment impact the frequency of walking trips.