What Is the Best Practice Method for Quantifying the Health and Economic Benefits of Active Transport?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify a best practice method to cost the health benefits of active transport for use in infrastructure planning in New South Wales, Australia. We systematically reviewed the international literature covering the concept areas of active transport and cost and health benefits. Original publications describing a method to cost the health benefits of active transport, published in 2000–2019 were included. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were assessed against criteria identified in interviews with key government stakeholders. A total of 2993 studies were identified, 53 were assessed for eligibility, and 19 were included in the review. The most commonly studied active transport modes were cycling (n = 8) and walking and cycling (n = 6). Exposures considered were physical activity, road transport related injuries and air pollution. The most often applied economic evaluation method was cost benefit analysis (n = 8), and costs were commonly calculated by monetising health outcomes. Based on evaluation of models against the criteria, a Multistate Life Table model was recommended as the best method currently available. There is strong and increasing interest in quantifying and costing the health benefits of active transport internationally. Incorporating health-related economic benefits into existing regulatory processes such as cost benefit analyses could provide an effective way to encourage the non-health sector to include health impacts in infrastructure measures.

Transformative Experiences in Cycling Tourism: A Conceptual Framework

“…CT is slowly gaining appreciation in the tourism scene [7,40], as it can provide several benefits encompassing the environment and the socio-economic sphere [41] by offering a cheap and reliable modality of transportation [42]. In this way, that can influence the whole tourism act towards a far more sustainable one, providing benefits to tourists on the one hand, as well as to the destinations' area and its residents on the other hand [43], enhancing the overall tourism experience [44].…”

Towards the Light: Effective Light Mobility Policies in Cities

“…The health improvement effect of active travel is conditioned by whether the physical activity incurred by travel substitutes is additional to other forms of physical activity (Möller et al, 2020). It is also not linear across most health endpoints, with the most significant health improvement experienced as people with sedentary or low-physical-activity lifestyles start increasing their levels of physical activity (De Nazelle et al, 2011;Hollingworth et al, 2015;International Transport Forum, 2013;Mueller et al, 2015;Rabl and De Nazelle, 2012;Rojas-Rueda et al, 2011;Saunders et al, 2013).…”

Cycling Tourism: A Literature Review to Assess Implications, Multiple Impacts, Vulnerabilities, and Future Perspectives

“…Cycling is, in many contexts and circumstances, an extremely effective, cheap, fast, reliable mode of transport [1] and requires little space or investment in terms of acquisition and operation [2]; in addition, cycling globally presents opportunities for affordable and sustainable transport, promoting a healthy lifestyle [3][4][5]. Despite the fact that cycling involves less expenditure on the part of the cyclist [6] compared to other forms of tourism (seaside, cruises, etc.…”