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Walk Score, Transportation Mode Choice, and Walking Among French Adults: A GPS, Accelerometer, and Mobility Survey
Dustin T Duncan1,2,3,4, Julie Méline5,6, Yan Kestens7
1Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. dustin.duncan@nyumc.org.
Summary
Walkable neighborhoods in Paris significantly increase walking trips, according to GPS data. Creating walkable environments is a key strategy for promoting physical activity and public health.
Area of Science:
- Urban planning and public health research.
- Geospatial analysis of transportation behavior.
- Environmental influences on physical activity.
Background:
- Limited research exists on the connection between Walk Score, transportation choices, and walking behavior using GPS data.
- The impact of Walk Score on walking is under-explored at the trip level, rather than the individual level.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Walk Score, transportation mode, and walking at the trip level among adults in Paris.
- To analyze GPS-tracked data from the RECORD GPS Study to understand these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Utilized GPS receivers and accelerometers to track 227 participants over seven days.
- Collected 6969 trip records via a GPS-based web mapping application, assessing transportation modes and activities.
- Calculated Walk Score for trip origins and destinations, performing multilevel regression analyses.
Main Results:
- High Walk Scores at trip origins and destinations were associated with a significantly higher likelihood of walking for the entire trip.
- Trips starting and ending in highly walkable neighborhoods ('Walker's Paradise') showed a 3.48 times increased odds of being walking-only trips.
- Accelerometry data indicated a cumulatively higher number of steps per 10 minutes for trips within walkable areas.
Conclusions:
- Walkable neighborhoods in Paris are demonstrably linked to increased walking at the trip level.
- Promoting walkable urban design, including increased commercial activity, can be an effective public health strategy to boost physical activity levels.
