Comparing objective measures of environmental supports for pedestrian travel in adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evidence is growing that the built environment has the potential to influence walking--both positively and negatively. However, uncertainty remains on the best approaches to representing the pedestrian environment in order to discern...

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Main Authors: Rodriguez Daniel, Cho Gihyoug, Evenson Kelly, Clifton Kelly, Shay Elizabeth
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2009-01-01
Series:International Journal of Health Geographics
Online Access:http://www.ij-healthgeographics.com/content/8/1/62
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spelling doaj-5eecfb8ed1894b5a8b1d9457710773a22020-11-25T01:39:12ZengBMCInternational Journal of Health Geographics1476-072X2009-01-018162Comparing objective measures of environmental supports for pedestrian travel in adultsRodriguez DanielCho GihyougEvenson KellyClifton KellyShay Elizabeth<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evidence is growing that the built environment has the potential to influence walking--both positively and negatively. However, uncertainty remains on the best approaches to representing the pedestrian environment in order to discern associations between walking and the environment. Research into the relationship between environment and walking is complex; challenges include choice of measures (objective and subjective), quality and availability of data, and methods for managing quantitative data through aggregation and weighting. In particular, little research has examined how to aggregate built environment data to best represent the neighborhood environments expected to influence residents' behavior. This study examined associations between walking and local pedestrian supports (as measured with an environmental audit), comparing the results of models using three different methods to aggregate and weight pedestrian features.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using data collected in 2005-2006 for a sample of 251 adult residents of Montgomery County, MD, we examined associations between pedestrian facilities and walking behaviors (pedestrian trips and average daily steps). Adjusted negative binomial and ordinary least-squares regression models were used to compare three different data aggregation techniques (raw averages, length weighting, distance weighting) for measures of pedestrian facilities that included presence, condition, width and connectivity of sidewalks, and presence of crossing aids and crosswalks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Participants averaged 8.9 walk trips during the week; daily step counts averaged 7042. The three aggregation techniques revealed different associations between walk trips and the various pedestrian facilities. Crossing aids and good sidewalk conditions were associated with walk trips more than were other pedestrian facilities, while sidewalk facilities and features showed associations with steps not observed for crossing aids and crosswalks.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Among three methods of aggregation examined, the method that accounted for distance from participant's home to the pedestrian facility (distance weighting) is promising; at the same time, it requires the most time and effort to calculate. This finding is consistent with the behavioral assumption that travelers may respond to environmental features closer to their residence more strongly than to more distant environmental qualities.</p> http://www.ij-healthgeographics.com/content/8/1/62
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Rodriguez Daniel
Cho Gihyoug
Evenson Kelly
Clifton Kelly
Shay Elizabeth
spellingShingle Rodriguez Daniel
Cho Gihyoug
Evenson Kelly
Clifton Kelly
Shay Elizabeth
Comparing objective measures of environmental supports for pedestrian travel in adults
International Journal of Health Geographics
author_facet Rodriguez Daniel
Cho Gihyoug
Evenson Kelly
Clifton Kelly
Shay Elizabeth
author_sort Rodriguez Daniel
title Comparing objective measures of environmental supports for pedestrian travel in adults
title_short Comparing objective measures of environmental supports for pedestrian travel in adults
title_full Comparing objective measures of environmental supports for pedestrian travel in adults
title_fullStr Comparing objective measures of environmental supports for pedestrian travel in adults
title_full_unstemmed Comparing objective measures of environmental supports for pedestrian travel in adults
title_sort comparing objective measures of environmental supports for pedestrian travel in adults
publisher BMC
series International Journal of Health Geographics
issn 1476-072X
publishDate 2009-01-01
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evidence is growing that the built environment has the potential to influence walking--both positively and negatively. However, uncertainty remains on the best approaches to representing the pedestrian environment in order to discern associations between walking and the environment. Research into the relationship between environment and walking is complex; challenges include choice of measures (objective and subjective), quality and availability of data, and methods for managing quantitative data through aggregation and weighting. In particular, little research has examined how to aggregate built environment data to best represent the neighborhood environments expected to influence residents' behavior. This study examined associations between walking and local pedestrian supports (as measured with an environmental audit), comparing the results of models using three different methods to aggregate and weight pedestrian features.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using data collected in 2005-2006 for a sample of 251 adult residents of Montgomery County, MD, we examined associations between pedestrian facilities and walking behaviors (pedestrian trips and average daily steps). Adjusted negative binomial and ordinary least-squares regression models were used to compare three different data aggregation techniques (raw averages, length weighting, distance weighting) for measures of pedestrian facilities that included presence, condition, width and connectivity of sidewalks, and presence of crossing aids and crosswalks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Participants averaged 8.9 walk trips during the week; daily step counts averaged 7042. The three aggregation techniques revealed different associations between walk trips and the various pedestrian facilities. Crossing aids and good sidewalk conditions were associated with walk trips more than were other pedestrian facilities, while sidewalk facilities and features showed associations with steps not observed for crossing aids and crosswalks.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Among three methods of aggregation examined, the method that accounted for distance from participant's home to the pedestrian facility (distance weighting) is promising; at the same time, it requires the most time and effort to calculate. This finding is consistent with the behavioral assumption that travelers may respond to environmental features closer to their residence more strongly than to more distant environmental qualities.</p>
url http://www.ij-healthgeographics.com/content/8/1/62
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