Study is first to use VR to understand pedestrian stress

A large-scale study led by Bilal Farooq, civil engineering professor at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), is the first of its kind to use virtual reality (VR) to study pedestrian interactions and street crossing behaviors. The research pioneers the use of neurophysiological sensors to better understand pedestrian experiences in urban environments. The work is published in the journal Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies.

“We are interested in crafting safer, more comfortable urban spaces where all modes of transportation can coexist,” said Farooq. “Our goal is to comprehend how pedestrians react to different scenarios and use that understanding to optimize urban design and traffic management.”

The study, which involved 171 participants crossing a virtual two-way street, highlights significant findings such as the stress-reducing impact of street medians and age-related stress differences among pedestrians. Younger participants (18–24 years) appeared calmer than older participants (55–65 years). This research represents data collected in Toronto and builds on earlier collaborative work with Newcastle University in the UK.

“The use of virtual reality and neurophysiological senses within it to study pedestrian behavior is a relatively unique approach,” said Farooq. “Having a safe environment where we can test different variables and look at their effect ensures that people’s behavior would be realistic.”

This study is part of a decade-long initiative to employ VR for urban research at an unprecedented scale.