Urban pulse: measuring pace of life through public camera-based cadence analysis

Abstract Pedestrian cadence serves as an indicator for assessing urban pedestrian dynamics, reflecting not only the success of urban planning but also the rhythm of city life. This study employs computer vision and signal processing techniques to identify pedestrian cadence, with the aim of explorin...

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Main Authors: Pei-Yu Ho, Ming-Kuang Chung, Ling-Jyh Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Discover Internet of Things
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43926-025-00186-6
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author Pei-Yu Ho
Ming-Kuang Chung
Ling-Jyh Chen
author_facet Pei-Yu Ho
Ming-Kuang Chung
Ling-Jyh Chen
author_sort Pei-Yu Ho
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Pedestrian cadence serves as an indicator for assessing urban pedestrian dynamics, reflecting not only the success of urban planning but also the rhythm of city life. This study employs computer vision and signal processing techniques to identify pedestrian cadence, with the aim of exploring its relationship with urban environments. The research methodology involves three primary components: Real-Time Image Collection, Pedestrian Feature Extraction, and Pedestrian Cadence Estimation. The Real-Time Image Collection Module autonomously gathers video streams from a network of public live cameras; the Pedestrian Feature Extraction Module employs the You Only Look Once version 7 (YOLOv7) model along with the Simple Online and Real-Time Tracking (SORT) algorithm to produce time series data of pedestrian characteristics; following this, the Pedestrian Cadence Estimation Module applies signal processing to these data to evaluate pedestrian cadence. This data collection and analysis approach is non-invasive, preserving pedestrians’ natural behavior, thereby enhancing data authenticity and reliability. This approach has been applied using various live public cameras to evaluate pedestrian cadence, examining differences between diverse geographical and functional zones (residential, educational, touristic, business, and traffic areas). Using K-Means clustering in pedestrian cadence cumulative distribution function (CDF) data from these regions, the study investigates the drivers behind these clusters. In addition, the research explored the connection between economic status and pedestrian cadence in different Taiwanese cities. Overall, this study provides urban planners and policymakers with valuable knowledge to promote smart city development and improve urban planning effectiveness and efficiency.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2730-7239
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
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series Discover Internet of Things
spelling doaj-art-40dc354eed5d41a890ddb3e53a3a73f52025-08-20T04:03:06ZengSpringerDiscover Internet of Things2730-72392025-08-015112210.1007/s43926-025-00186-6Urban pulse: measuring pace of life through public camera-based cadence analysisPei-Yu Ho0Ming-Kuang Chung1Ling-Jyh Chen2Graduate Program of Data Science, National Taiwan UniversityHydrotech Research Institute, National Taiwan UniversityGraduate Program of Data Science, National Taiwan UniversityAbstract Pedestrian cadence serves as an indicator for assessing urban pedestrian dynamics, reflecting not only the success of urban planning but also the rhythm of city life. This study employs computer vision and signal processing techniques to identify pedestrian cadence, with the aim of exploring its relationship with urban environments. The research methodology involves three primary components: Real-Time Image Collection, Pedestrian Feature Extraction, and Pedestrian Cadence Estimation. The Real-Time Image Collection Module autonomously gathers video streams from a network of public live cameras; the Pedestrian Feature Extraction Module employs the You Only Look Once version 7 (YOLOv7) model along with the Simple Online and Real-Time Tracking (SORT) algorithm to produce time series data of pedestrian characteristics; following this, the Pedestrian Cadence Estimation Module applies signal processing to these data to evaluate pedestrian cadence. This data collection and analysis approach is non-invasive, preserving pedestrians’ natural behavior, thereby enhancing data authenticity and reliability. This approach has been applied using various live public cameras to evaluate pedestrian cadence, examining differences between diverse geographical and functional zones (residential, educational, touristic, business, and traffic areas). Using K-Means clustering in pedestrian cadence cumulative distribution function (CDF) data from these regions, the study investigates the drivers behind these clusters. In addition, the research explored the connection between economic status and pedestrian cadence in different Taiwanese cities. Overall, this study provides urban planners and policymakers with valuable knowledge to promote smart city development and improve urban planning effectiveness and efficiency.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43926-025-00186-6Pedestrian cadenceComputer visionSignal processingSmart citiesPace of life
spellingShingle Pei-Yu Ho
Ming-Kuang Chung
Ling-Jyh Chen
Urban pulse: measuring pace of life through public camera-based cadence analysis
Discover Internet of Things
Pedestrian cadence
Computer vision
Signal processing
Smart cities
Pace of life
title Urban pulse: measuring pace of life through public camera-based cadence analysis
title_full Urban pulse: measuring pace of life through public camera-based cadence analysis
title_fullStr Urban pulse: measuring pace of life through public camera-based cadence analysis
title_full_unstemmed Urban pulse: measuring pace of life through public camera-based cadence analysis
title_short Urban pulse: measuring pace of life through public camera-based cadence analysis
title_sort urban pulse measuring pace of life through public camera based cadence analysis
topic Pedestrian cadence
Computer vision
Signal processing
Smart cities
Pace of life
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43926-025-00186-6
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AT lingjyhchen urbanpulsemeasuringpaceoflifethroughpubliccamerabasedcadenceanalysis