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May 5, 2026 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations — A behavioral design-based project aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety has been implemented at GTU. — The thesis study of Batuhan Ulufer, a graduate student at the Institute of Transportation Technologies, has been integrated into campus life. — The GTU Fine Arts Society contributed creatively to the project with a Pac-Man–themed ground design. — Data collected before and after the implementation will provide a scientific analysis of its impact on safety perception and traffic flow. — The joint efforts of academic staff and students have added lasting value to campus culture.
A significant behavioral design-based initiative has been launched at Gebze Technical University (GTU) to improve pedestrian safety on campus. The project, developed as part of the master’s thesis titled “Behavioral Design for Micro-Scale Traffic Safety: Nudge Applications in a Campus Setting,” conducted by Batuhan Ulufer under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Göker Aksoy, has been successfully integrated into campus life. The field implementation phase of the project was carried out by the GTU Fine Arts Society team.
Enhanced Visibility With a Pac-Man–Themed Ground Design The implementation took place at a point on campus where pedestrian and vehicular traffic intersect, aiming to increase driver awareness and create a more visible and safer crossing area for pedestrians. As part of the implementation, a pedestrian crossing was first completed. Approximately ten days later, a Pac-Man–themed ground design was applied to the area. Data collected before and after the implementation will enable a scientific assessment of the effects of such behavioral design interventions on safety perception and traffic dynamics.
Creative Contribution from the Fine Arts Society Members of the GTU Fine Arts Society actively participated in every stage of the project, from preparation to the painting process. Coordinated by the society's President İclal Döndü and Vice President Zeynep Zülal Yıldırım, the team meticulously transferred the designs onto the ground despite challenges such as surface conditions and weather. This process created a model example of how academic knowledge and student engagement can come together to contribute to campus culture.
Data-Driven Safety Analysis The findings obtained within the scope of the thesis will be evaluated to enhance safety in campus mobility. Through the coordinated efforts of academic staff and students, the project has resulted not only in theoretical research but also in a tangible and lasting application that raises awareness on campus. Innovative “nudge” methods continue to support GTU’s vision of a modern and safe campus. |
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