Traffic as a barrier to walking safely in the United States: Perceived reasons and potential mitigation strategies

Soto, Graycie W.; Whitfield, Geoffrey P.; Webber, Bryant J.; Omura, John D.; Chen, Tiffany J.; Zaganjor, Hatidza; Rose, Kenneth

doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.102003

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 39 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although prevalence of these supports increased, the 2021 estimates were modest, ranging from 32% to 52%. Moreover, traffic-calming design features remained statistically flat (at 51% in 2021), despite vehicle speed being identified as the overwhelming concern for US adults who report traffic as a barrier to walking ( 24 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Design standards that encourage bicycling and zoning codes that support walking are associated with greater physical activity for transportation (22) and for leisure (23). In the 2021 survey, preval-ence increased for 7 of 9 design standards or zoning codes supportive of physical activity, and 2 supports remained consistent from 2014.…”

Section: Zoning Codes and Design Standardsmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Physical Activity–Friendly Policies and Community Design Features in the US, 2014 and 2021

Webber,

Whitfield,

Moore

et al. 2023

Prev. Chronic Dis.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction The 2014 Community-Based Survey of Supports for Healthy Eating and Active Living documented the prevalence of US municipal policy and community design supports for physical activity. The survey was repeated in 2021. Our study examined change in the prevalence of supports from 2014 to 2021, overall and by municipality characteristic. Methods Municipalities were sampled independently each survey year. We calculated prevalence in 2014 and 2021 and the prevalence ratio (PR) for 15 supports covering zoning codes, park policies and budgets, design standards, Complete Streets policies, and shared use agreements. We used a Bonferroni-corrected Breslow-Day test to test for interaction by municipality characteristic. Results In 2014 (2,009 municipalities) compared with 2021 (1,882 municipalities), prevalence increased for several zoning codes: block sizes of walkable distances (PR = 1.46), minimum sidewalk width (PR = 1.19), pedestrian amenities along streets (PR = 1.15), continuous sidewalk coverage (PR = 1.14), and building orientation to pedestrian scale (PR = 1.08). Prevalence also increased for design standards requiring dedicated bicycle infrastructure for roadway expansion projects or street retrofits (PR = 1.19). Prevalence declined for shared use agreements (PR = 0.87). The prevalence gap widened between the most and least populous municipalities for Complete Streets policies (from a gap of 33.6 percentage points [PP] in 2014 to 54.0 PP in 2021) and for zoning codes requiring block sizes that were walkable distances (from 11.8 PP to 41.4 PP). Conclusion To continue progress, more communities could consider adopting physical activity–friendly policies and design features.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Zoning Codes and Design Standardsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Physical Activity–Friendly Policies and Community Design Features in the US, 2014 and 2021

Webber,

Whitfield,

Moore

et al. 2023

Prev. Chronic Dis.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…1 In a recent nationwide survey, a quarter of US adults reported motor vehicle traffic as a barrier to walking; of these, 79% cited vehicle speed as a safety concern. 2 These real and perceived safety threats can discourage walking and bicycling, 3 leading to significant health consequences. 4 Only about half of US adults 5 and a quarter of high school students 6 meet the aerobic physical activity guideline in leisure time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of vision zero action plans or strategies: USA, 2021

Webber,

Whitfield,

Rose

et al. 2024

Inj Prev

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundVision Zero is a strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and to promote equitable mobility options for all road users. Using a nationally representative survey, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of Vision Zero action plans or strategies in the USA.MethodsMunicipal officials were surveyed in 2021. In this cross-sectional study, we calculated the prevalence of Vision Zero plans or strategies and compared municipalities with adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) to account for region and sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsAmong 1955 municipalities participating in the survey (question-specific response rate: 44.3%), the prevalence of a Vision Zero action plan or strategy was 7.7%; 70.5% respondednoand 21.8%don’t know. Prevalence was 4.8% in small municipalities (1000–2499 residents), 20.3% in medium-large municipalities (50 000–124 999 residents; PR=4.1), and 37.8% in large municipalities (≥125 000 residents; PR=7.6).ConclusionThe prevalence of Vision Zero plans and strategies across the USA is low. Additional adoption of Vision Zero plans and strategies could help address traffic fatalities.

show abstract

Changes in Perceptions of the Near-Home Walking Environment Among US Adults—2015 and 2020 National Health Interview Survey

Soto,

Whitfield,

Smith

et al. 2023

Journal of Physical Activity and Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The built environments in which we work, live, and play can influence physical activity behaviors, and perceptions of these environments are associated with walking behavior. This study’s objective is to compare national-level data on perceptions of the near-home walking environment from the 2015 and 2020 National Health Interview Survey. Methods: Adults in 2015 (n = 30,811) and 2020 (n = 29,636) reported perceptions of walkable supports (roads, sidewalks, paths, or trails; sidewalks on most streets), destinations (shops, stores, or markets; bus or transit stops; movies, libraries, or churches; places that help you relax, clear your mind, and reduce stress), and barriers to walking (traffic; crime; animals). Age-adjusted prevalence estimates, prevalence differences, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated overall and by demographic characteristics. Results: The reported prevalence of roads, sidewalks, paths, or trails for walking increased overall (85.3% in 2015 to 88.0% in 2020) and for many subgroups. Perceived places to walk to for relaxation, to clear your mind, and to reduce stress increased overall (72.1% in 2015 to 77.1% in 2020) and for all subgroups. Perceptions of crime as a barrier to walking decreased overall (12.5% in 2015 to 11.2% in 2020) and for some subgroups. From 2015 to 2020, the proportion of adults perceiving roads, sidewalks, paths, or trails; places to relax; and crime as a barrier to walking improved. Conclusions: Continuing to monitor perceptions of the walking environment could contribute to progress toward national walking and walkability goals in the United States.

show abstract

Traffic as a barrier to walking safely in the United States: Perceived reasons and potential mitigation strategies

Cited by 4 publications

References 39 publications

Physical Activity–Friendly Policies and Community Design Features in the US, 2014 and 2021

Physical Activity–Friendly Policies and Community Design Features in the US, 2014 and 2021

Prevalence of vision zero action plans or strategies: USA, 2021

Changes in Perceptions of the Near-Home Walking Environment Among US Adults—2015 and 2020 National Health Interview Survey

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About