Researchers at London’s Turing Institute are working on both sides of the walking route challenge – the data gathering and the algorithms – as part of their work on air pollution. “It’s important that travel apps improve – and not just for pedestrians that require mobility support.” “Active travel options, which cannot currently earn revenue for the app providers, can often be de-prioritised in app user interfaces in favour of linking through to private hire companies,” Braun says. But there’s more work to be done, in particular about accessibility, so those who can’t easily manage stairs aren’t given a route full of them, but also to show walking is just as easy as catching a cab or e-bike. As part of efforts to encourage more walking, Transport for London has backed Go Jauntly, an app that plans to add accessible routes between stations.

Alongside public transport and paid-for micromobility options, Citymapper can now tell you which train stations are accessible to those with reduced mobility, while Google Maps highlights bike routes along less congested roads. There are plenty of countryside walking apps and some designed for tourists, and mapping and journey planners are getting better.

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