Sprawl and Health

Giles-Corti 2005 - "How Important is Distance To, Attractiveness, and Size of Public Open Space?"

Giles-Corti, Billie; Broomhall, Melissa; et al
"How Important is Distance To, Attractiveness, and Size of Public Open Space?"
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
February 2005; vol.28, n.2 (supplement 2); pp.169-176
On the Web
Relevance: low

The authors surveyed Australian adults in Perth and used some sort of GIS to conclude that people walk more if they have more access to large, attractive public open space with facilities for multiple types of users. While access alone to open space was not significantly associated with achieving recommended levels of physical activity, access to large, attractive open space increased the likelihood of walking at least 6 times per week totaling >180 minutes by 50%.

Humpel 2004 - "Perceived Environment Attributes, Residential Location, and Walking for Particular Purposes"

Humpel, Nancy; Owen, Neville; et al.
"Perceived Environment Attributes, Residential Location, and Walking for Particular Purposes"
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
February 2004; vol.26, n.2; pp.119-125
On the Web
Relevance: medium-low

The authors conducted a survey of 400 Australian adults (mean age 60) on their walking habits and environmental perceptions. "Aesthetics, convenience of facilities, and access to services were positively associated with the neighborhood walking for men; convenience was associated with neighborhood walking for women."  People who walked more were more likely to say that weather did not influence their decision to walk.  Women were also more likely to walk if they lived near the coast.

ICTA 2000 - “In-Car Air Pollution: The Hidden Threat to Automobile Drivers"

International Center for Technology Assessment,
“In-Car Air Pollution: The Hidden Threat to Automobile Drivers"
Report No. 4, An Assessment of the Air Quality Inside Automobile Passenger Compartments
Washington, DC: July 2000
On the Web
Relevance: high

This report reviews 23 studies from between 1982 and 1998 covering the main pollutants inside cars: particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone.  For all exhaust pollutants except CO and the largest PM, concentrations are typically higher inside cars in heavy traffic than elsewhere.

Chertok 2004 - “Comparison of Air Pollution Exposure for Five Commuting Modes in Sydney – Car, Train, Bus, Bicycle and Walking”

Chertok, Michael ; Voukelatos, Alexander ; Sheppeard, Vicky ; and Rissel, Chris
“Comparison of Air Pollution Exposure for Five Commuting Modes in Sydney – Car, Train, Bus, Bicycle and Walking”
Health Promotion Journal of Australia
April 2004; v.15,n.1; pp.63-67
On the Web (pdf)
Relevance: high

The study measured the BTEX pollutant and NO2 exposure of 44 subjects on their regular daily commutes, each lasting at least 30 minutes each way.  Car commuters were exposed to the highest levels of BTEX pollutants, while bus commuters were exposed to the highest levels of NO2.  Train (light and heavy rail) commuters were exposed to the lowest levels of all pollutants measured.  Walking and cycling commuters were exposed to significantly lower levels of BTEX than car commuters and of NO2 than bus commuters. 

Retting 2003 - “A Review of Evidence-Based Traffic Engineering Measures Designed to Reduce Pedestrian-Motor Vehicle Crashes”

Retting, Richard A.; Ferguson, Susan A.; McCartt, Ann T.
“A Review of Evidence-Based Traffic Engineering Measures Designed to Reduce Pedestrian-Motor Vehicle Crashes”
American Journal of Public Health
September 2003; v.93, n.9.; pp. 1456-1463.
On the Web
Relevance: low

The authors reviewed studies on engineering measures used to reduce the risk of pedestrian injuries.  These measures were classified into speed control, separation of pedestrians from vehicles (in time and space), and increased visibility of pedestrians. Highly effective measures include:

• single-lane roundabouts,
• sidewalks,
• exclusive pedestrian signal phasing that stops all traffic while pedestrians cross all ways,
• pedestrian refuge islands, and,
• increased intensity of roadway lighting

Giles-Corti 2003 - “Relative Influences of Individual, Social Environmental, and Physical Environmental Correlates of Walking”

Giles-Corti, Billie and Donovan, Robert J.
“Relative Influences of Individual, Social Environmental, and Physical Environmental Correlates of Walking.”
American Journal of Public Health.
September 2003; v.93, n.9; pp. 1583-1589.
On the Web
Relevance: high

Using a survey of healthy residents of Perth, Australia and an objective measure of access to places to walk, Giles-Corti and Donovan found that living on a quiet street with sidewalks, trees, and shops increased the likelihood that survey participants walked  the recommended daily amount.