Considering Spatial Factors in Promoting Active, Healthy Commuting

Abstract

Although mobility is spatial by its very nature, spatial factors are rarely explicitly considered in the promotion of active commuting. However, active commuting bears great potential for increasing physical activity among employees and can thus contribute to health promotion. We argue that spatial models and analyses are building blocks for more efficient strategies in corporate mobility and health promotion measures. Specifically, we propose (a) a routing algorithm that optimizes commuting journeys in terms of health effectiveness; (b) assessment models, which express the suitability of workplace environments for active commuting; (c) spatial analyses that estimate the potentials of different modes for any given location, and (d) spatial analyses that support awarenessraising for active mobility. The elements are conceptualized on a generic level and then applied to a case study in Salzburg, Austria. In this case study, we demonstrate the integrative power of a geo-spatial approach which facilitates holistic perspectives on healthy commuting and has the potential to serve as an evidence base in targeted interventions.

Health effects of active commuting to work: The available evidence before GISMO

“…Studies have also revealed that there are certain strategies like walking home from work rather than to work when time pressure exists 40 . But still, very few studies 16,41 have objectively measured the contribution of walking to work to physical activity levels and increase in physical performance, so that more evidence is still needed 42 …”

Effects of active commuting on cardiovascular risk factors: GISMO—a randomized controlled feasibility study

“…Also Giles‐Corti et al 40 as well as Sallis et al 41 called for better planning of cities to make active transportation but also physical activity, in general, more attractive. Adequate infrastructure is fundamental for physically active commuting 42 . On the other hand, one might argue that it is impossible for many employees to commute actively, as distances are too long.…”

“…Based on our results as well as on other studies, 32,43 active commuting may be recommended to policymakers, employers, employees, co‐workers, or patients in order to improve physical activity and exercise capacity and to possibly even reduce mortality in the working force. On the one hand, much needs to be done with respect to infrastructure to make active commuting more attractive, as adequate infrastructure is fundamental for active commuting 42 . Only then an increasing number of employees can benefit from its health effects.…”

Promoting Active and Sustainable Commuting: A Tool for Analysing Location-specific Conditions and Potentials for Walking, Cycling and Public Transport

“…The modelling of raster-based strengths and weaknesses for promoting active and sustainable mobility is built on the output datasets from the GISMO project (Loidl et al, 2018). In these datasets, PT quality, and the walkability and bikeability of a location (100-metre cell) are rated with different indices.…”