The Experience of Running: Recommending Routes Using Sensory Mapping in Urban Environments

TL;DR

This paper develops a routing engine for recommending running paths based on sensory mapping, focusing on psychological experiences and preferences for scenic or urban routes, to enhance runners' satisfaction.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method combining qualitative insights and quantitative analysis to personalize running route recommendations based on experiential dimensions.

Findings

Identified key dimensions of running experience: performance, environment, social connection.

Clustered route preferences into scenic and urban categories.

Developed a routing engine integrating sensory and experiential data.

Abstract

Depending on the route, runners may experience frustration, freedom, or fulfilment. However, finding routes that are conducive to the psychological experience of running remains an unresolved task in the literature. In a mixed-method study, we interviewed 7 runners to identify themes contributing to running experience, and quantitatively examined these themes in an online survey with 387 runners. Using Principal Component Analysis on the survey responses, we developed a short experience sampling questionnaire that captures the three most important dimensions of running experience: \emph{performance \& achievement}, \emph{environment}, and \emph{mind \& social connectedness}. Using path preferences obtained from the online survey, we clustered them into two types of routes: \emph{scenic} (associated with nature and greenery) and \emph{urban} (characterized by the presence of people); and developed a routing engine for path recommendations. We discuss challenges faced in developing the routing engine, and provide guidelines to integrate it into mobile and wearable running apps.