Project. Regional pedestrian activity measurement

Principal investigator. Aaron Schroeder, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 540-231-6243, aaron@vtti.vt.edu

Project objective. The goal of this project is to develop a detailed understanding of what would be required to undertake a wearable technology pedestrian survey and to establish, as a foundation, the next step of technology prototyping.

Project abstract. The long-range goal of this project is to develop and deploy a wearable technology pedestrian survey using wireless technologies, GPS, and clothing integrated accelerometers. Such a development would likely yield results for multiple domains: human health and medicine, civic planning, and transportation.

A secondary goal of this project will be to establish collaborative relationships with others involved in this area of research. For instance, Dr. Hosig from the Virginia Tech Department of Human Foods and Nutrition recently submitted a related study proposal to the National Institutes of Health (Obesity and Built Environment RFA). Dr. Hosig has shown interest in collaborating with VTTI if NIH funding is secured.

Tasks.

1) Review literature on pedestrian movement: Macro (region-wide) - automated tracking, surveys, or systems similar to the one described above; Micro (human physiology) relative to transportation systems and facility design - how may accelerometer systems help to improve design under 'real-world' survey?

2) Review technologies: Macro (reviewing portable GPS technologies); Micro (reviewing human-movement assessment technologies such as wearable accelerometers).

3) Assess the feasibility of integrating technologies while considering the pedestrian survey participant: technology integration (wireless connectivity vs. data storage); human-technology integration; cost.

4) Identify key stakeholders who are interested in this area of research and begin to establish collaborative relationships.

5) Conduct real or virtual 'round-table' sessions with domain experts to determine overall feasibility and validity - "if such a survey were possible, in what might you be interested?"

6) Develop prototype technology concept and survey deployment schemes.

7) Develop final report synthesizing above findings.

Milestones. Tasks may run concurrently. Completion of whole project by June 30, 2006.

Student involvement. 1 GRA (Ph.D.)

Budget. FY 06
Faculty $50,000
GRA       10,000
               60,000

Relation to other research. This is an independent project not directly related to any other research.

Technology transfer. VTTI will share findings from this project with others at Virginia Tech who are interested in this area of research. Stakeholders include, among others, the VT Department of Human Foods and Nutrition who is interested in conducting pedestrian studies using wearable technologies.

Potential benefits. Improve the understanding of which wearable technologies are most effective for use in pedestrian surveys. This understanding will benefit researchers in multiple domains including: human health and medicine, civic planning, and transportation.

TRB keywords. ITS, Pedestrian, GPS, Wireless, Data Storage.