We are pleased to announce the publication of Advancing Pedestrian Models: A Comparative Review and Vision for the Future. This report responds to the growing need for systematic evaluation of pedestrian modelling tools within transport planning and policy.

Although pedestrian models are increasingly recognized as important for understanding modal and route choice in urban environments, they have historically received far less attention than models developed for motorised travel. This report addresses this gap by providing a detailed description and comparative assessment of currently established pedestrian models, examining their strengths, limitations, and potential relevance for capturing different dimensions of walking, including subjective factors and conditions in informal urban areas.

This report draws on insights from the International Research Seminar on Modelling Urban Pedestrian Mobility, hosted at MIT in October 2023, which convened leading researchers from both the Global South and the Global North. The seminar discussions highlighted the need for modelling tools that more effectively reflect the diversity of pedestrian environments and behaviours, as well as the importance of bridging the persistent research–policy gap in the application of pedestrian models in planning practice.

Commissioned within VREF’s “Walking as a Mode of Transport” program, this report offers a consolidated overview of the current landscape of pedestrian modelling and outlines shared challenges and priorities for future research. It aims to support continued methodological development, strengthen connections between research and urban policy, and contribute to a deeper understanding and more effective use of pedestrian models in efforts to advance equitable and sustainable urban mobility.