Passability: meaning, definitions and examples

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passability

[ˌpæsəˈbɪlɪti ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

ability to pass

Passability refers to the ability or capacity to be passed or crossed, often used in the context of roads, trails, or barriers. It describes how easily a person, vehicle, or object can move through a given space or area.

Synonyms

accessibility, crossability, traversability.

Examples of usage

The passability of the road is affected by the weather.
They assessed the passability of the hiking trails before their trip.
Due to heavy rain, the passability of the river was reduced.
The passability of the ice on the lake was checked before the skating event.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term combines 'pass', which comes from Latin 'passare' meaning 'to step' or 'to move', with 'ability', which denotes capability.
The first known use of the word in the English language dates back to the late 19th century, reflecting changes in transportation.
Etymologically, the prefix 'pas-' is also linked to various words in romance languages that mean 'step' or 'way'.

Urban Planning

In city design, passability is crucial for ensuring that streets are navigable for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Accessibility features, such as curb cuts and wide sidewalks, are often emphasized to improve passability for those with mobility challenges.
Cities often use passability metrics to analyze traffic flow and reduce congestion.

Nature

In ecology, passability can refer to the ability of wildlife to navigate through habitats, impacting species survival.
Researchers study plant passability, such as whether certain shrubs or grasses block animal movement or water flow.
Flooding can dramatically affect the passability of a landscape, influencing not only human travel but also wildlife migrations.

Transportation

In road construction, materials are selected based on their ability to maintain passability under various weather conditions.
Public transport systems rely on high-passability routes to optimize efficiency and ridership.
Traffic management systems evaluate passability continually to adapt to emergent situations like accidents or closures.

Psychology

The ease of passability can influence people's decision-making in navigation, as simpler paths are often chosen for efficiency.
Studies have shown that environments perceived as having high passability can reduce anxiety and promote exploration.
In social psychology, the concept relates to how easily individuals can navigate social settings or conversations.