Influence of Dressing Style of pedestrian on their traffic stream in the CBD area

Abstract

The pedestrian traffic flow and the influence of pedestrian dressing style in the high congested central business district (CBD) were assessed in the present work. Flow rate-walking speed characteristics of pedestrian in four major cities in Iraq (Mosul, Erbil, Baghdad, and Nasiriya) was investigated and presented in this assessment. The fundamental relationship between flow and walking speed of the pedestrians on sidewalks have been determined and compared using Greenshields mathematical modeling. The assessed dressing styles included (Arabic, kordish, and western clothing). The sidewalk width and the clothing traditions style of pedestrians exhibited a significant influence on the pedestrians’ traffic stream. This study contributes valuable insights for emphasizing the impact of technology and time on pedestrian experiences and enhancing urban planning for CBD area. Arabic clothing style exhibits the lowest flow rate of 22 Pedestrian/minute while the kordish dress styles exhibit 93 Pedestrian/minute. The westrin dress style of Mosul and Baghdad Pedestrians exhibits maximum flow rates of (30 and 122) Pedestrian/minute respectively. The sidewalk width shows a negative influence on traffic stream regardless of the dressing style. The developed Greenshield macroscopic models may be implemented in planning and design for safer pedestrian facilities in Iraq. The influence of pedestrian characteristics on the degree of exposure of pedestrians to risk in this vulnerable travel mode should be considered.