aim...
The aim of the study was to measure the speed of movement of people and the dynamics of its changes in relation to the amount of traffic participants, the nature of space and the presence of attractors, and attempt to assess the friendliness of the space for the disabled and potential obstacles that may slow the movement of these people.
methodology...
Measurements were made in 11 points on a predefined path between the building of the Faculty of Architecture WUT, and the railway station Warszawa Centralna. The following figure shows the path on the ortophotomap of the city center of Warsaw.
Researches were conducted on the basis of the material collected at each measurement point at the predefined path. This material contain photographs and videos recording the presence of people and the dynamics and direction of their motion in the selected fragment of space. The principle of research material recording was to get the most probably image from the viewpoint of a person moving along the path shown above.
The research documentation contains inconsistencies concerning the naming of measurement points. This is due to the fact that the analysis of the research material was performed in several separate studios. The following table lists the corresponding names of measurement points.
| 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
| A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
It should be noted that the results are based on a small sample of measurements - 1 measurement were taken at each measurement point. Although all measurements were made at the same time of day, they do not include fluctuations that do not depend on time of day, but only on the fact that the stream of people is not continuous. Evaluation of the average intensity of the stream of people in a given time of day would require the implementation of several measurements at intervals of several minutes.
analysis of research material...
MePo (Measurement Point) A (1) - Koszykowa st. near the edifice of Faculty of Architecture WUT:
MePo B (2) - Konstytucji sq.:
MePo C (3) - cross Wilcza st./Marszałkowska st..:

MePo D (4) - Dmowski's roundabout.:
MePo E (5) - "Rotunda".:
MePo F (6) - Chmielna st.:

MePo G (7) - Defilad sq.:
MePo H (8) - between Jerozolimskie Ave. & The Palace of Culture & Science.:

MePo I (9) - near Gold Terraces Shopping Center.:

MePo J (10) - main hall of Warszawa Centralna railway station.:

MePo K (11) - tram station at Chałubiński's st..:
results of research...
diagram showing the level of dynamics and the intensity of people flow in each MePo:
at above diagram each elipse shows 3 parameters
- long axis: the level of dynamics related to the lowest value (J),
- size: intensity,
- direction of long axis: direction of main flow of people
The chart above shows that in space where intensity of people flow (number of people) is less, hurry is hire.
The charts below show the value of slowing down of motion (losing of time) of a disabled person (wheelchair) in relation to the motion of a person without that disability in connection with the occurrence of local obstacles.
final conclusions...
Results of research confirm that the conditions of pedestrian traffic in the tested area (presence of obstacles and attractors, the number of people, diversity of flow directions) affect the change in the intensity of movement of pedestrians and reduce comfort and efficiency in independent mobility for people with disabilities.
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