HERRAMIENTAS DE DISEÑO URBANO: EL PANORAMA 360 PARA EL ESTUDIO DE LA PERCEPCIÓN DE SEGURIDAD DEL PEATÓN

Abstract

Walking, the most common mode of transport, is a risky activity. In recent years, the number of traffic victims has decreased, but pedestrian mortality remains high. Therefore, studying their needs and the involved urban design factors is fundamental. In this sense, the subjective feeling of insecurity must be taken into account for its emotional and behavioural effect. Environmental-simulations based on photographs are often used for its analysis, but 360 panoramas shown by head-mounted displays offer promising possibilities. However, they should be analyzed. This was the objective of the study: to study the validity of the 360 panoramas regarding to the specific case of the study of the pedestrians' perception of safety in urban environments. To do this, the psychological responses evoked by 10 physical scenarios were compared to the responses evoked by their 360 panorama simulations. Analyses indicate they offer similar psychological responses, suggesting that they are an appropriate tool for an exhaustive study of pedestrians' perception of safety. Results are of general interest to researchers using this environmental-simulation tool, and specifically to those focusing on urban design.