A Study of Pedestrian Crossing Behaviors on Major Urban Roads to Inform Road Safety Engineering Design

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Pedestrian safety is widely recognized as a critical public health and urban transport concern, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas of developing countries where pedestrian injury and fatality rates remain disproportionately high. Thailand faces significant challenges in mitigating these pedestrian safety risks. Taking Khon Kaen, which is a major regional transit node undergoing rapid expansion and vehicular growth, as a case study, the present research addresses the intensified conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, particularly along major arterials with substandard crossing infrastructure. Although local agencies have attempted to implement safety measures, empirical studies remain limited regarding validated behavioral measurement tools that integrate psychological and context-specific environmental factors within the Thai urban context. To address this gap, the present study developed a pedestrian behavior measurement scale and investigated the socio-environmental, legal, and demographic factors influencing road-crossing decisions in urban Khon Kaen. The study indeed aimed to 1) develop and examine the construct validity of a pedestrian behavior measurement scale; and 2) investigate the relationship between pedestrian behavior factors and social, environmental, legal enforcement, and general variables (age, gender, occupation, and walking distance) on major roads in the urban areas of Khon Kaen.

Methodology: We conducted a quantitative survey among urban residents of Khon Kaen. We developed a 15-item questionnaire informed by behavioral theories, prior pedestrian safety studies, and observations of local traffic conditions. The questionnaire addressed attitudes toward crossing, risk-taking behaviors, safety awareness, and environmental concerns, including exposure to air pollution during road crossing. 400 participants completed the survey (N=400), including students, workers, and the public, selected through random sampling. We used descriptive statistics for preliminary analysis; this was followed by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). EFA was performed using orthogonal (Varimax) rotation, with acceptance criteria including Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity (p < 0.05), Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure (KMO > 0.6), and Cronbach’s alpha for reliability. CFA was conducted to evaluate model fit using such indices as CFI, GFI, RMR, and CMIN/DF.

Main Results: The results reveal that the population exhibited attitudes related to safe pedestrian crossings and had frequently encountered air pollution while crossing the streets. Additionally, the EFA identified two new factors (KMO = 0.735, Sig. = 0.000) viz. Society and Environment, and Violations. The CFA indicated that the model demonstrated a good fit with the empirical data (CMIN/DF = 1.890, GFI = 0.921, CFI = 0.901, RMR = 0.089). Gender and individual pedestrian behaviors were found to be significantly associated with the Society and Environment factor (p < 0.005). Age was significantly related to the Violations factor (p < 0.005).

Conclusions: Based on our analysis of 9 questionnaire items, two distinct behavioral factors were identified: (1) Society and Environment, and (2) Violations. These factors were significantly associated with participants’ gender, age group, and individual pedestrian behaviors. The study demonstrates that pedestrian behavior in Khon Kaen’s complex urban environment is shaped by both environmental conditions and personal decision-making patterns. The questionnaire provides a systematic tool for measuring pedestrians’ perceptions, risk awareness, and crossing behaviors. Together, the two latent factors capture how environmental influences, risky actions, and safety-oriented practices interact to shape pedestrian behavior. These empirical findings offer important insights that can inform traffic engineering strategies, guide urban management decisions, and support efforts to cultivate a stronger culture of pedestrian safety, especially in a similar context to that of Khon Kaen.

Practical Application: Our findings can inform the development of public safety campaigns and the design of pedestrian infrastructure, including raised crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, pedestrian signal systems, and improved street lighting. The results also support targeted enforcement efforts aimed at reducing risky crossing behaviors. By using pedestrians’ perceptions and behavioral data as a foundation for urban design, planners and policymakers can enhance the safety and walkability of road systems in Khon Kaen and other cities in the future.