The “Data Gap” in Walking Apps
Modern navigation apps are incredible at getting us from A to B efficiently. But for leisure walking, efficiency isn’t the goal—experience is.
Current systems struggle with key questions:
- “Is this route safe for a lone walker at night?”
- “Is this path scenic and quiet, or just a shortcut through an industrial estate?”
- “Is the data reliable enough to recommend to a user?”
The Leisure Walking Systems Working Group (LWSWG) was established to solve this disconnect. It brings together academic researchers, industry developers, and community stakeholders to create a unified framework for “Platial” walking systems—apps that understand the qualities of a place, not just its coordinates.
A Three-Pillar Approach
The working group focused its impact grant on three critical areas where industry practice falls short of academic insight:
1. Representation & Data
We developed new standards for encoding “fuzzy” human concepts into digital maps. This included:
- Safety Indices: Moving beyond crime statistics to model perceived safety (lighting, visibility, footfall).
- Serendipity Algorithms: Designing routing engines that prioritize discovery and wandering over pure speed.
2. User Experience (UX) Pattern Library
Designing for walkers is dangerous—looking at a screen means not looking at the road. We created a “Heads-Up” Design Framework for walking apps, offering developers a library of tested UX patterns that reduce cognitive load and keep users aware of their surroundings.
3. Evaluation & Ethics
Innovation shouldn’t come at the cost of safety. The group produced the “Think-Aloud” Evaluation Guide, a practical toolkit for startups to test their walking apps with real users in real environments, ensuring that algorithmic recommendations don’t lead vulnerable users into unsafe situations.
Delivered Impact
The initiative culminated in the release of a comprehensive open-source Technical Report and a Demonstrator System. These resources act as a blueprint for the next generation of outdoor apps, providing the technical and ethical guardrails needed to build systems that truly enhance the joy of walking.
“From ‘Turn Left’ to ‘Enjoy the View’ — The LWSWG provides the missing link between cold geospatial data and the warm, human experience of exploring a city.”