AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON PEDESTRIAN GROUP BEHAVIORS IN HONG KONG

Pedestrians walking in groups may behave differently from those individuals particularly under congested condition. This paper examines the movement behaviors of pedestrian groups within congested urban area in Hong Kong. The impacts of group behaviors are investigated particularly on total trip duration. Causeway Bay, being one of the most congested areas in Hong Kong was selected as the study area. Interview surveys were carried out during peak hour period so as to reveal information of pedestrian movements. Two groups of pedestrians were interviewed which are individuals and pedestrians in pair. Data collected from the interview surveys are pedestrians' perceptions and preferences on important level of various factors affecting their walking time. Two sets of empirical data have been compared to illustrate the impacts of pedestrian group behaviors. It is found that the total trip durations of pedestrians in pair are much higher than those of individual pedestrians.