Evaluación del nivel de servicio de la infraestructura peatonal en el entorno de las clínicas Bucaramanga, San Luis y Chicamocha – sede La Rosita, Bucaramanga, mediante variables de eficiencia y confort

Abstract

The present research aimed to evaluate the pedestrian level of service in the immediate surroundings of three high-traffic hospital centers in the city of Bucaramanga: Clínica Bucaramanga, Clínica San Luis, and Clínica Chicamocha (La Rosita branch). These areas were selected due to their relevance within the city's hospital network and the high volume of pedestrian movement they experience daily. The study is based on the recognition of mobility as an essential component to guarantee the right to health and urban inclusion, especially in contexts where diverse populations converge and deficiencies in pedestrian infrastructure are evident. To comprehensively address the phenomenon, a mixed-methods approach was employed, combining both quantitative and qualitative tools. Two recognized methodologies were applied: the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM 2010), which allows the calculation of the level of service based on variables such as traffic counts, speed, density, and pedestrian space; and the Sheila Sarkar methodology, which focuses on evaluating pedestrian comfort perception through physical, physiological, and psychological attributes. In total, the movements and mobility conditions of more than 2,000 individuals were studied, recorded over various days of the week (both typical and atypical) and across different time periods (morning and afternoon), in order to capture significant variations in pedestrian behavior. The findings reveal that, although some segments present relatively acceptable physical conditions, there are still obstacles, discontinuities, and environmental deficiencies that affect the fluidity of pedestrian traffic. According to the HCM methodology, several segments were classified between service levels C and F, due to low walking speeds, high pedestrian density, and the presence of temporary obstacles. Meanwhile, Sarkar's qualitative evaluation indicated that the most critical issues are related to sun exposure, the presence of street vendors, pollution, lack of shade, and the absence of regulatory measures to qualify these spaces as accessible. This study concludes that the pedestrian infrastructure in the hospital influence zones of Bucaramanga urgently requires interventions to ensure universal accessibility and equity in the use of public space.