Cost Analysis of the Built Environment: The Case of Bike and Pedestrian Trials in Lincoln, Neb

Abstract

We estimated the annual cost of bike and pedestrian trails in Lincoln, Neb, using construction and maintenance costs provided by the Department of Parks and Recreation of Nebraska. We obtained the number of users of 5 trails from a 1998 census report. The annual construction cost of each trail was calculated by using 3%, 5%, and 10% discount rates for a period of useful life of 10, 30, and 50 years. The average cost per mile and per user was calculated. Trail length averaged 3.6 miles (range = 1.6–4.6 miles). Annual cost in 2002 dollars ranged from $25 762 to $248 479 (mean = $124 927; median = $171 064). The cost per mile ranged from $5735 to $54 017 (mean = $35 355; median = $37 994). The annual cost per user was $235 (range = $83–$592), whereas per capita annual medical cost of inactivity was $622. Construction of trails fits a wide range of budgets and may be a viable health amenity for most communities. To increase trail cost-effectiveness, efforts to decrease cost and increase the number of users should be considered.

The relationship between cluster-analysis derived walkability and local recreational and transportation walking among Canadian adults

“…Moreover, whether or not the cost of retrofitting entire neighborhoods where less substantial changes are necessary, would be off-set by health and sustainability gains is yet to be determined. There is evidence suggesting that modifying some characteristics of the built environment, such as building trails, might be a cost-effective intervention for increasing physical activity and improving health (Wang et al, 2004). For established neighborhoods, interventions that modify micro-scale or street-level (e.g., installing sidewalks or street furniture, planting trees, improving pedestrian safety) characteristics might be a more realistic option for improving walkability.…”

SHAPING THE CONTEXT OF HEALTH: A Review of Environmental and Policy Approaches in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases

“…In one of the few economic evaluations in physical activity, Wang and colleagues (133) examined the cost of trail development per trail user in Lincoln, Nebraska. The annual cost per user was $235 (range = from $83 to $592), whereas per capita annual medical cost of inactivity was $622.…”

Evaluation Analysis on an Integrated Fare Initiative in Beijing

“…This is an important finding because a great deal of the literature argues that walk/bikeability will promote walking and biking (Humpel et al 2002;Giles-Corti and Donovan 2002;Leyden 2003, Staunton et al 2003Wang et al 2004). In fact, we did not expect to find a relationship between walk/bikeability to the train station and physical activity because the choice of the three train stations was heavily influenced by anticipated high walk/bikeability.…”