The cost-effectiveness of installing sidewalks to increase levels of transport-walking and health

Gunn, Lucy; Lee, Yong Yi; Geelhoed, Elizabeth; Shiell, Alan

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.07.041

Cited by 18 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Extending sidewalks in established neighbourhoods may be a cost-effective intervention with regard to promoting transportation walking. 49 Our findings suggest that sidewalks might also support other types and overall levels of neighbourhood-based physical activity that in turn could provide health benefits. Importantly, the number of business destinations and length of sidewalks were the only characteristics significantly associated with total minutes of neighbourhoodbased physical activity.…”

Section: Table 4 Generalized Linear Model (Gamma Distribution and Idementioning

confidence: 66%

Neighbourhood built environment characteristics associated with different types of physical activity in Canadian adults

McCormack

2017

Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: The aim of this study was to estimate the associations between neighbourhood built environment characteristics and transportation walking (TW), recreational walking (RW), and moderate-intensity (MPA) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) in adults independent of sociodemographic characteristics and residential self-selection (i.e. the reasons related to physical activity associated with a person's choice of neighbourhood).

show abstract

Section: Table 4 Generalized Linear Model (Gamma Distribution and Idementioning

confidence: 66%

Neighbourhood built environment characteristics associated with different types of physical activity in Canadian adults

McCormack

2017

Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The cost of installing a standard sidewalk was determined to be A$172 (2012/2013) per square metre based on estimates of actual sidewalk replacement costs obtained from council documents. 40–42 Previous research used a value of A$70 per linear metre for a sidewalk of 1.8 m in width; 16 however, more recent evidence suggests that the price per square metre is likely to be higher. 40–42 The initial capital cost and periodic maintenance costs were included, assuming sidewalk replacement after 15 years.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost-effectiveness of investing in sidewalks as a means of increasing physical activity: a RESIDE modelling study

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundStudies consistently find that supportive neighbourhood built environments increase physical activity by encouraging walking and cycling. However, evidence on the cost-effectiveness of investing in built environment interventions as a means of promoting physical activity is lacking. In this study, we assess the cost-effectiveness of increasing sidewalk availability as one means of encouraging walking.MethodsUsing data from the RESIDE study in Perth, Australia, we modelled the cost impact and change in health-adjusted life years (HALYs) of installing additional sidewalks in established neighbourhoods. Estimates of the relationship between sidewalk availability and walking were taken from a previous study. Multistate life table models were used to estimate HALYs associated with changes in walking frequency and duration. Sensitivity analyses were used to explore the impact of variations in population density, discount rates, sidewalk costs and the inclusion of unrelated healthcare costs in added life years.ResultsInstalling and maintaining an additional 10 km of sidewalk in an average neighbourhood with 19 000 adult residents was estimated to cost A$4.2 million over 30 years and gain 24 HALYs over the lifetime of an average neighbourhood adult resident population. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was A$176 000/HALY. However, sensitivity results indicated that increasing population densities improves cost-effectiveness.ConclusionsIn low-density cities such as in Australia, installing sidewalks in established neighbourhoods as a single intervention is unlikely to cost-effectively improve health. Sidewalks must be considered alongside other complementary elements of walkability, such as density, land use mix and street connectivity. Population density is particularly important because at higher densities, more residents are exposed and this improves the cost-effectiveness. Health gain is one of many benefits of enhancing neighbourhood walkability and future studies might consider a more comprehensive assessment of its social value (eg, social cohesion, safety and air quality).

show abstract

“…Strong advocates indicated an intention to increase walking and cycling trips. It would be interesting to observe whether these motives will be realized with the implementation of quality pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, since researchers have previously found that appropriate installation of walking and cycling facilities is associated with increased walking and cycling (30)(31)(32). However, if the implementation of such facilities does not increase the number of walking or cycling trips for commuting and noncommuting purposes despite the expressed intentions, then it is possible that some individuals answered the survey based on what they assumed was socially acceptable, in lieu of their true sentiments (33).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Path of Least Resistance: Identifying Supporters of Public and Active Transportation Projects

Loong

Lierop

El-Geneidy

2017

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation R

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The financing and implementation of transportation projects are more likely to be successful with the support of local communities. Hence, for cities and transportation agencies to develop strategies that will improve public acceptability and reduce resistance to funding transportation projects, it is important to understand differences in the levels of local support. This study used a factor-cluster analysis to segment a university population, to understand current levels of support toward transportation investments, and seek out important allies to endorse public and active transportation projects. The results of the study reveal five clusters of individuals with varying opinions toward transportation investments and distinct motivations. Strong advocates are the greatest allies for promoting public and active transportation investments. They support financing public and active transportation projects, and are well positioned to endorse the necessity and advantages of such investments. Highway and transit funders are motivated by their dissatisfaction with the current transportation system. Cycling advocates are valuable in publicizing the benefits of expanding the bicycle network. Infrequent commuters do not travel to the university as often as the other groups, and are supportive of transportation investments in general. Despite the overall positive opinion toward investing in public and active transportation projects, there is a minority of funding opponents who are generally against financing transportation projects. The results of this study will be helpful for policy makers intending to communicate the benefits of transportation projects to various community groups.

show abstract

The cost-effectiveness of installing sidewalks to increase levels of transport-walking and health

Cited by 18 publications

References 46 publications

Neighbourhood built environment characteristics associated with different types of physical activity in Canadian adults

Neighbourhood built environment characteristics associated with different types of physical activity in Canadian adults

Cost-effectiveness of investing in sidewalks as a means of increasing physical activity: a RESIDE modelling study

The Path of Least Resistance: Identifying Supporters of Public and Active Transportation Projects

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About