IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-1

Research article
erd

The Opinion Study of Pedestrian User to Footpath
Characteristics in Rajamangala University of TechnologyThanyaburi Rangsit Center
TRIPOB BOONTHAM*
Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi,
Pathum Thani, Thailand
Email: tripob_b@rmutt.ac.th
Received 31 December 2017

Accepted 5 May 2018(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract The purposes of this research are 1) to investigate the pedestrian behavior; 2) toanalyze the footpath physical characteristics and opinion of user in Rajamangala Universityof Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) Rangsit center; 3) to present footpath model thatencourage to use footpath in RMUTT Rangsit center. The samples used in this researchwere analyzed by 340 sampling sets from instructor, student and officer in RMUTT Rangsit
center. The main questions focused on pedestrian behavior, satisfaction and attitudes ofpedestrian towards physical obstacles in sidewalk. The answers were analyzed by statisticalmethods. The results found that the factor affecting the choice to walk at RMUTT Rangsit
center was based on cover way. Factors considered were pedestrian satisfaction of footpath
physical characteristics such as parallel footpath with road, shade tree and good surrounding
environment.
Keywords opinion, pedestrian, footpath, characteristics

INTRODUCTION
At present, universities around the world have begun to focus on green university concepts that areespecially environmental protection, climate change, global warming and greenhouse conditions.
The green university approach that is used to UI green metric world university ranking willmeasure campus sustainability efforts. The criteria of UI green metric word university ranking in2016 are 1) setting and infrastructure; 2) energy and climate change; 3) waste; 4) water; 5)transportation; 6) education (UI green metric world university ranking, 2016). All of the above
about green university shows that the transportation system is important in reducing carbon
emissions and polluting in area and it is related to encourage pedestrian to use footpath in theuniversity. It also affects the relationship with pattern of pedestrian to use area (Frank and kavage,2009). Thus, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) Rangsit center has
started to develop the area in accordance with the green university guidelines by lay-out planningand creating space and activities area according to the UI green metric world university ranking.
Therefore, the pedestrian policy on campus is part of develop to green university. At present,
RMUTT Rangsit center is no pedestrian walkway in the campus and there is a lack of proper
routing and lay-out to accommodate the behavior and needs of users within the university.
Therefore, a major goal of this research is to analyze pedestrian satisfaction of footpath physicalcharacteristics. In addition, the footpath model that encourages pedestrian to use footpath inRMUTT Rangsit Center was also investigated.
OBJECTIVE
The research was conducted for the following three main objectives:
1) To investigate the pedestrian behavior,
2) To analyze the footpath physical characteristics and opinion of user in RMUTT Rangsit Center,Ⓒ ISERD

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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-13) To present footpath model that encourage to use footpath in RMUTT Rangsit center.
METHODOLOGY
The proposed study site is located within Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi(RMUTT) Rangsit Center, Pathum Thani, Thailand (Fig. 1).
(a)

(b)

Fig. 1 Location (a) and study site (b)The sample of this research is calculated by using Taro Yamane (Yamane, 1967) formula with
95% confidence level. (according 2,267 persons from the data of RMUTT Rangsit center report2017.) The calculation formula of Taro Yamane is presented as follow.
𝑛=𝑁
1 + 𝑁(𝑒)2Where: n=sample size required, N=number of people in the population, e=allowable error (%)
𝑛=2,267
1+2,267(0.05)2

Substitute number in formula: 𝑛 = 340

Data collection is divided into two parts such as physical survey in the study area and behavior
survey including comments and requirements of pedestrian. Questionnaire used to collect behavior
data, comments and requirements are divided into four parts such as personal information,pedestrian behavior, opinions and obstacles in the study area and formats, and suggestions forpedestrian walkways within the study area. Data collection was conducted in April 2017 and all thecollected data was analyzed by statistic package for social science (SPSS and Excel).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The physical of pedestrians within the study area are divided into 3 types are 1) one pedestrian
walkway (width 2.00 meter.) is parallel to the road on one side of the road. Found around footballfield; 2) two pedestrian walkway (width 1.20 meters) is parallel to the road. Both sides of the roadwill meet RMUTT entrance to landscape technology building, and from the animal sciencebuilding to the fisheries lecturer building; 3) no pedestrian walkway along the road will be a rangeof landscape technology building to the animal science building, and the football field to thefisheries laboratory building. Problems and obstacles within the area are pedestrian walkway is notdivide space between footpath and car, no shade for pedestrian walkway footpath, the pedestrian isdeteriorating, no ramp for the disabled, and obstructions on the pedestrian walkway, for example,
bench, road symbol sign, electric pole, garbage can (Fig. 2).

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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-1

(a)

Route
Route
Route

Route 4
Route 5(b)Fig. 2 Physical of study area (a), problems and obstacles of study area (b)The statistics from observed data show that the proportion of female pedestrians is higher thanmale pedestrians during peak hour and proportion of range 18-25 years of pedestrians is the largest
comparing to range 26-32 years and range 33-40 years. The data indicates that pedestrians are
student rather than officer with 96% of pedestrian and lecturer with 98% of pedestrian. The averagepedestrian time observation 6.00-12.00 rather than 12.00-18.00. The data collection showed thatpedestrian behavior use route 1 (RMUTT entrance to landscape technology building) is higher thanroute 2 (landscape technology building to animal science building), route 3 (animal sciencebuilding to fisheries building), route 4 (fisheries lecturer building to football field), and route 5(football field to fisheries laboratory building) (Table 1). In additions, Marisamynathan (2014)indicated that pedestrian crossing speed of a male is faster than that of a female. Pedestrian age anddeparture signal phase have more significant impact on crossing speed variations. Gender andgroup size of pedestrians are significant factors affecting the pedestrian compliance behavior.
Approaching and the vehicle are identified as the influencing parameters in pedestrian – vehicularinteractions.
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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-1

From the previous study by physical of pedestrians within the study area, statistics fromobserved data, and questionnaire (characteristic, behavior, and model of pedestrian) found thatfootpath which encourage to use footpath in RMUTT Rangsit center were footpath model (type 2)
consisted of parallel footpath containing shade tree and good surrounding environment (Fig. 3).
Leopairojana (2016) reported that problems in travelling to the station include: the unsafe
atmosphere prevailing along routes to the station and at the station itself; inconvenient and longaccess routes, and high travel expenses. The concepts of sustainable transportation that promote
walking, cycling and public transportation was then used to develop recommendations as to how
improve the station’s environment and access. In addition, Tanarinya et al. (2007) indicated that
improving condition of footpaths, creating good environments, promoting walking and connecting
footpath to BTS stations will encourage people to change their modes from cars to walking andriding public transports.
Table 1 Pedestrians classified by their characteristics and behavior
Observed parameterNo. of observed pedestrians
Percent (%)
Male143
42.06
GenderFemale
196
57.94
18 – 25 years
332
97.65
26 – 32 years
7
Age
2.06
Characteristic
33 – 40 years
10.29
Student
328
96.47
instructor
4
User type
1.18
Officer8
2.35
6.00 – 12.00
185
54.41
Time observation
12.00 – 18.00
182
45.59
Route 1
126
37.06
Route 2122
Behavior
35.88
Route 362
Pedestrian
18.24
Route 424
7.06
Route 56
1.76
Route 1 (RMUTT entrance to landscape technology building), route 2 (landscape technology building to animalscience building), route 3 (animal science building to fisheries lecturer building), route 4 (fisheries lecturer building
to football field), route 5 (football field to fisheries laboratory building)Fig. 3 Pedestrian model type 1 (a), type 2 (b) and type 3 (c)CONCLUSION
This study revealed the perception of pedestrians on the use of footpath in RMUTT Rangsit center.
It is found that 37.06% of the pedestrians use route 1 (RMUTT entrance to landscape technology
building), and also identified that no shade for pedestrian walkway is the problem of pedestrian touse footpath. Footpath model has been proposed and selected based on pedestrian behavior in orderⒸ ISERD

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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-1

to encourage to use footpath is model type 2 (side walk with tree zone).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author would like to acknowledge to all the staff member of Division of LandscapeTechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology
Thanyaburi for all supports and assistance, particularly Miss Adcharphon Verachue for research
assistance.
REFERENCES
Frank, L. and Kavage, S. 2009. A national plan for physical activity, The enabling role of the builtenvironment. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 6, S186.
Leopairojana, S. 2016. Mass transit station environments and accessibility improvements, Lessons learned
from Ban Thab Chang airport rail link station, Bangkok. Journal of Built Environment Inquiry, 15 (1),153-172.
Marisamynathan. 2014. Study on pedestrian crossing behavior at signalized intersections. Journal of Trafficand Transportation Engineering, 1 (2), 103-110.
Tanarinya, P., Leopairojana, S. and Preamechai, S. 2007. Footpath development for encouraging nonmotorized transportation, Case study areas around BTS station, Bangkok. Journal of Kasetsart University.
UI Green Metric World University Green Ranking. 2016. UI green metric world university green ranking
2016. http://greenmetric.ui.ac.id (retrieved in September 2016).
Yamane, T. 1967. Statistics, An introductory analysis. Harper and Row Publications, New York.

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