Tobler's hiking function

Formula for estimating hiking speed From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tobler's hiking function

Tobler's hiking function is an exponential function determining the hiking speed, taking into account the slope angle.[1][2][3] It was formulated by Waldo Tobler. This function was estimated from empirical data of Eduard Imhof.[4]

Thumb
Tobler's hiking function – walking speed vs. slope angle chart.

Formula

Summarize
Perspective

Walking velocity:

where

W = walking velocity [km/h][2]
dh = elevation difference,
dx = distance,
S = slope,
θ = angle of slope (inclination).

The velocity on the flat terrain is 5 km / h, the maximum speed of 6 km / h is achieved roughly at -2.86°.[5]

On flat terrain this formula works out to 5 km/h. For off-path travel, this value should be multiplied by 3/5, for horseback by 5/4.[1]

Pace

Pace is the reciprocal of speed.[6][7] For Tobler's hiking function it can be calculated from the following conversion:[7]

where

p = pace [s/m]
m = gradient uphill or downhill (dh/dx = S in Tobler's formula),

Sample values

Thumb
Pace in minutes per kilometer or mile vs. slope angle for Tobler's hiking function.
More information Slope (deg), Gradient (dh/dx) ...
Slope
(deg)
Gradient
(dh/dx)
SpeedPace
km / hmi / hmin / kmmin / mis / m
-60-1.730.020.013603.95799.9216.23
-50-1.190.110.07543.9875.332.63
-40-0.840.380.24158.3254.79.50
-30-0.580.950.5963.3101.93.80
-25-0.471.400.8742.969.12.58
-20-0.362.001.2430.048.31.80
-15-0.272.801.7421.434.51.29
-10-0.183.862.4015.625.00.93
-5-0.095.263.2711.418.30.68
-2.8624-0.056.003.7310.016.10.60
005.043.1311.919.20.71
10.024.742.9412.720.40.76
50.093.712.3016.226.00.97
100.182.721.6922.135.51.32
150.271.971.2330.449.01.83
200.361.410.8842.668.52.56
250.470.980.6160.998.13.66
300.580.670.4189.9144.65.39
400.840.270.17224.6361.513.48
501.190.080.05771.81242.146.31
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See also

References

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