A Comparison of Crowding Evaluation by Showing Photographs of Use Condition of Ozegahara On-site and Off-site

Abstract

This study aims to clarify the differences in crowding evaluation between people on-site and off-site. To achieve this purpose we showed the above people seven different photographs with the number of visitors ranging from 3 to 165 people. The photographs were taken at Ozegahara in Oze National Park. Ozegahara was chosen as the place for on-site locations, and a university campus and two regional parks in Tokyo were chosen for off-site locations.We had people select one appropriate photograph in the above seven photographs to address the following: (1) what was considered to be the most suitable conditions for use; (2) considered crowded if the number of visitors increased; (3) not to go to the park if there were more visitors; (4) suitable visitor numbers; and (5) less visitors would be desirable. As a result, there was a clear difference between on-site and off-site about all items. In the case of the point (3) photographs which had 20 % fewer visitors were selected off-site compared to on-site. This result was the most different.