Assessing Perceived Walkability: a case study using eye-tracking and think-aloud with street images

GIS has been widely used to measure objective walkability at the city and street levels. However, perceived walkability is mostly assessed at the city or neighborhood scale and relies heavily on participants’ post hoc evaluations. In this case study, we propose a method to measure perceived walkability at the street level and identify its physical signifier. Our approach combines eye-tracking with retrospective think-aloud protocols while participants rate the perceived walkability of street photos. We analyzed the perceived walkability from 33 participants and assessed perceived walkability across five categories: sense of safety, sense of security, convenience, comfort, and visual interest. Results indicate that footpath quality, traffic conditions, and the presence of other pedestrians play key roles in shaping perceived walkability.