The influence of age on recreational trail preferences of urban green-space visitors: a discrete choice experiment with digitally calibrated images

This study explored the influence of age on recreational trail preferences using an image-based discrete choice experiment. The trail scenarios were depicted as digitally calibrated images that systematically displayed eight social, managerial and physical trail features. In 2006, on-site visitors (N = 321) to public green spaces in Vienna were intercepted. Age groups were formed based on quartiles. Across all quartiles, visitor numbers and litter had the highest influence on trail preferences. Not all attributes were relevant for each quartile. The elderly quartile placed more importance on litter and activity type, while trail environment and trail type were of marginal importance compared with the younger quartiles. Consequently, visitor preferences are diverse because of age and planning and management has to consider these different needs for recreational trails.