Assessing the association between overcrowding and human physiological stress response in different urban contexts: a case study in Salzburg, Austria

A novel approach using wearable sensors reveals that overcrowding in urban environments significantly impacts human physiological stress responses, varying notably across different contexts such as green spaces, transit areas, commercial zones, and blue spaces. The study, conducted in Salzburg's historic center, employed a combination of first-person video data (analyzed via Mask R-CNN), GPS tracking, and biometric measurements from an Empatica E4 wristband to quantify stress levels through galvanic skin response (GSR) and skin temperature changes. Findings highlight the critical role of urban elements like human crowds, sitting facilities, vehicles, and bikes in modulating stress at street level, underscoring the potential of sensor-based methods for future urban planning and mental health research.

Zhang, Z., Měchurová, K., Resch, B., Amegbor, P., & Sabel, C. E. (2023). Assessing the association between overcrowding and human physiological stress response in different urban contexts: a case study in Salzburg, Austria. International Journal of Health Geographics, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12942-023-00334-7