How does the built environment affect pedestrian perception of road safety on sidewalks? Evidence from eye-tracking experiments

Enhancing pedestrians’ perception of traffic safety can improve residents’ well-being and encourage walking. This study explores how the built environment influences pedestrians’ perception of road safety from the perspective of human-environment interaction by highlighting the perception process of pedestrians to the environment. We recruited 67 participants to conduct eye-tracking experiments and collected 1030 records of pedestrians’ safety perceptions concerning motor vehicles and bicycles. The results indicate that visual environmental factors influence pedestrians’ safety perceptions. Prolonged fixation duration proportions on motor vehicles and a higher percentage of roadways in the field of view make pedestrians feel dangerous, whereas vegetation and lane fences can enhance their feeling of safety. This study also proves that pedestrians with lower environmental familiarity are more sensitive to environmental elements. These findings provide a preliminary understanding of pedestrians’ safety perception on sidewalks, thereby offering valuable insights for proactive road safety management and pedestrian-friendly urban planning.