Robert Klar, Samuel Hjorth, Adam Gracheck, Rasmus Ringdahl and Vangelis Angelakis, VTI / Linkoping University

Overview

This paper explores how pedestrian and micromobility routing can respond to individual needs instead of assuming that every user wants the shortest route. The proposed system allows people to weight preferences related to travel time, road quality, elevation gain, noise, temperature and air quality. A modified Dijkstra algorithm generates routes based on these preferences, while a feedback mechanism lets users update information about route conditions. A trial with 20 participants examined whether people used personalised routes and contributed feedback.

Research highlights

• The routing model considers six factors: travel time, road quality, elevation gain, noise, temperature and air quality.

• Temperature and air quality can be incorporated as real-time information.

• Users assign their own preference weights, allowing routes to differ from the conventional shortest path.

• A quantitative feedback mechanism lets users contribute updated information about conditions along a route.

• In the 20-participant trial, users selected routes with non-default preferences and used the feedback function.

Practical relevance

The trial indicates that people value routing choices beyond the shortest route and are willing to provide feedback. This creates potential value for both travellers and city officials, since user input can reveal local route conditions and support more inclusive mobility planning.

Publication details

Published in the 2024 IEEE International Smart Cities Conference proceedings. DOI: 10.1109/ISC260477.2024.11004253.