Assessing Students’ Utilization of University Footbridges in Amman City: Motivating Factors and Obstacles in an Urban Setting

Rabab Muhsen (), Rama Al-Majali and Ayman Tomah (Maayah)
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Rabab Muhsen: Department of Architecture Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
Rama Al-Majali: Department of Architecture Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
Ayman Tomah (Maayah): Department of Architecture Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Al-Balqa Applied University, Salt 19117, Jordan

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-21

Abstract: The use of pedestrian footbridges plays a critical role in urban mobility, particularly in university areas with high pedestrian traffic. Despite its importance, footbridge utilization often remains suboptimal due to various influencing factors that are not well understood. This study aims to identify and analyze the factors affecting footbridge utilization among university students in Amman City. By surveying students from four universities—Islamic Sciences University (ISUF), Balqa Applied University (BAUF), and two branches of Jordan University (JUF1 and JUF2)—we explore how accessibility, design aesthetics, safety, emotional and psychological factors, and environmental considerations influence their decision to use footbridges. The findings reveal significant differences in the impact of these factors across universities. Notably, environmental considerations and design aesthetics are pivotal for ISUF students, while JUF1 and BAUF students prioritize convenience and time-saving. Furthermore, our research identifies a crucial difference in safety concerns, with female students exhibiting a higher focus on safety compared to their male counterparts. This highlights the need for gender-sensitive safety interventions in footbridge design. Environmental considerations consistently emerge as a priority for all, reflecting a collective concern for the eco-friendly features of bridge design. This study is considered the first of its kind in Amman City and the region. The results align with global findings, establishing a basis for wider implications concerning the development of theoretical knowledge of urban mobility. This research fills a crucial gap by providing empirical evidence of the diverse factors impacting footbridge usage. It offers valuable insights for urban planners seeking to design and maintain user-friendly and gender-sensitive footbridges, ultimately promoting sustainable urban mobility.

Keywords: university footbridges; accessibility; design aesthetics; environmental impact; safety concerns; mobility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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