Sustainable Transportation and Policy Development: A Study for Impact Analysis of Mobility Patterns and Neighborhood Assessment of Walking Behavior

Since rapid growth and car-oriented patterns became a global threat and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) levels are advancing, strategies to redesign the built environment into healthier spaces have gained importance. Walkability plays a central role in this context. However, the literature is dominated by studies from western industrialized countries. In this paper, we employed structural equational modeling to analyze perceptual data collected from different neighborhoods of Muscat. We compared the responses regarding environmental attributes to the frequency of walking for transport. We found that land use mix combined with low residential density are the factors that have the highest impact on pedestrian activity. Conversely, the estimates of the pedestrian infrastructure were surprisingly low, suggesting that, in car dominant societies, walking perceptions are affected by drivers’ perspectives.

Download Full-text

Operational Definitions of Walkable Neighborhood: Theoretical and Empirical Insights

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.3.s1.s99 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 3 (s1) ◽

pp. S99-S117 ◽

Cited By ~ 188

Author(s):

Anne Vernez Moudon ◽

Chanam Lee ◽

Allen D. Cheadle ◽

Cheza Garvin ◽

Donna Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multivariate Analyses ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Residential Density ◽

Theoretical Understanding ◽

Walking Behavior ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

Units Of Analysis ◽

Environmental Attributes ◽

Walkable Neighborhood ◽

Demographic Background

Background:The concept of walkable neighborhoods is increasingly important in physical activity research and intervention. However, limited theoretical understanding and measurable definitions remain a challenge.Methods:This paper reviews theories defining neighborhoods and offers an empirical approach to identify measurable attributes and thresholds of walkable neighborhoods. Bivariate and multivariate analyses are used for self-reported socio-demographic background, neighborhood walking behavior and perception, and objective measures of environments.Results:Environmental attributes positively associated with walking sufficiently to meet health recommendations included higher residential density and smaller street-blocks around home, and shorter distances to food and daily retail facilities from home. Threshold distances for eating/drinking establishments and grocery stores were 860 and 1445 feet.Conclusions:Results questioned theoretical constructs of neighborhoods centered on recreation and educational uses. They pointed to finer mixes of uses than those characterizing suburban neighborhoods, and small spatial units of analysis and intervention to capture and promote neighborhood walkability.

Download Full-text

The Risk of Dissolution of Sustainable Innovation Ecosystems in Times of Crisis: The Electric Vehicle during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13031319 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 1319

Author(s):

Manel Arribas-Ibar ◽

Petra Nylund ◽

Alexander Brem

Keyword(s):

Internal Combustion Engine ◽

Electric Vehicle ◽

Combustion Engine ◽

Internal Combustion ◽

Sustainable Transportation ◽

Mobility Patterns ◽

Innovation Ecosystems ◽

Sustainable Innovation ◽

Behavioural Patterns

Innovation ecosystems evolve and adapt to crises, but what are the factors that stimulate ecosystem growth in spite of dire circumstances? We study the arduous path forward of the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem and analyse in depth those factors that influence ecosystem growth in general and during the pandemic in particular. For the EV ecosystem, growth implies outcompeting the less sustainable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, thus achieving a transition towards sustainable transportation. New mobility patterns provide a strategic opportunity for such a shift to green mobility and for EV ecosystem growth. For innovation ecosystems in general, we suggest that a crisis can serve as an opportunity for new innovations to break through by disrupting prior behavioural patterns. For the EV ecosystem in particular, it remains to be seen if the ecosystem will be able to capitalize on the opportunity provided by the unfortunate disruption generated by the pandemic.

Download Full-text

Perceptions of the Neighborhood Built Environment for Walking Behavior in Older Adults Living in Close Proximity

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/0733464820979258 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 073346482097925

Author(s):

Florian Herbolsheimer ◽

Atiya Mahmood ◽

Nadine Ungar ◽

Yvonne L. Michael ◽

Frank Oswald ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Built Environment ◽

Past Research ◽

Subjective Assessment ◽

Neighborhood Environment ◽

Walking Behavior ◽

Close Proximity ◽

Physical Limitations ◽

Pedestrian Infrastructure ◽

Neighborhood Built Environment

Past research documents a discordance between perceived and objectively assessed neighborhood environmental features on walking behavior. Therefore, we examined differences in the perception of the same neighborhood built environment. Participants were grouped if they lived 400 m or closer to each other. The perception of the pedestrian infrastructure, neighborhood aesthetics, safety from crime, and safety from traffic was derived from a telephone survey from two North American metropolitan areas; 173 individuals were clustered into 42 groups. Older adults who walked for transport in their neighborhood experienced the same neighborhood as more walkable (β = .19; p = .011) with better pedestrian infrastructure (β = .16; p = .037). Older adults with physical limitations experienced the same neighborhood as less safe from crime (β = −.17; p = .030) and traffic (β = −.20; p = .009). The study supports the notion that individual behavior and physical restrictions alter the environment’s perception and explains part of the discordance between objective and subjective assessment of the neighborhood environment.

Download Full-text

Ageing in a low-density urban city: transportation mobility as a social equity issue

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x16000994 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 296-320 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

GAIL ADORNO ◽

NOELLE FIELDS ◽

COURTNEY CRONLEY ◽

RUPAL PAREKH ◽

KAREN MAGRUDER

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Policy Development ◽

Access To Health Care ◽

Community Based Participatory Research ◽

Social Equity ◽

The United States ◽

Sustainable Transportation ◽

Future Research ◽

Research Approach ◽

Urban City

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine older adults' experiences and perspectives regarding transportation mobility. Using a community-based participatory research approach, residents of Arlington, Texas, age 55 and older, participated in individual interviews (N = 15) or one of six focus groups (N = 45) as part of an overall study about ageing well in a large ethnically diverse city in the United States of America. Thematic analysis was conducted using inductive and deductive qualitative methods and social equity as a sensitising concept. Findings indicate that older adults who are transportation-disadvantaged experience limited access to health care, goods and services and are isolated from familiar lifestyle habits and social networks. Access to affordable, adequate transportation is compromised through social and political forces, which marginalise historically disadvantaged populations. Implications for cross-disciplinary practice and future research on sustainable transportation and policy development are discussed within a social justice and social equity framework.

Download Full-text

An Analysis of the Tourist Mobility in the Island of Lanzarote: Car Rental Versus More Sustainable Transportation Alternatives

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11030739 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 739 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

José Martín Martín ◽

Jose Guaita Martínez ◽

Valentín Molina Moreno ◽

Antonio Sartal Rodríguez

Keyword(s):

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Sustainable Transportation ◽

Mobility Patterns ◽

Environmental Implications ◽

Environmentally Sustainable ◽

Secondary Sources ◽

Mass Tourism ◽

Mode Of Transportation ◽

Charging Stations ◽

Special Protection

Studies have shown that certain modes of tourist development jeopardize the environment, as in the case of mass tourism, especially in areas that require special protection. The goal of this study is to apply a proposal for studying sustainability of tourist mobility to a protected space, the island of Lanzarote, which has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. This paper seeks to figure out the mobility patterns of tourists, the criterion used to select a mode of transportation, the attitude of tourists towards the sustainability of transport, and its environmental implications by analyzing secondary sources and interviewing tourists. The results show that the tourism model of the island is based on scattered natural resources that tourists want to enjoy in a tailor-made visit, which makes it hard to give up individual transportation. The only environmentally sustainable alternative is opting for electric vehicles with charging stations in the aforementioned tourist spots.

Download Full-text

Impact Analysis of Slovak- Hungarian Cross Border Cooperation Projects

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ◽

10.18775/ijmsba.1849-5664-5419.2014.33.1001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 7-16

Author(s):

René Pawera ◽

Lívia Bott Domonkos ◽

Richard Hakszer

Keyword(s):

Policy Development ◽

Impact Analysis ◽

Border Region ◽

Border Regions ◽

Cross Border ◽

Growth And Change ◽

European Standards ◽

Programming Period ◽

The Comparative Study ◽

The Impact

Cooperation is the key to a better Europe. European Union supports territorial cooperation between border-regions, especially in the border settlements. Border regions, towns and districts promote cooperation as a tool for growth and change through policy development and strategic orientation within territorial cooperation and beyond regional development. Regional disparities in Slovakia are actually the highest among EU countries and the Cohesion policy tries to balance with European standards. The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of projects on disparity and economic growth in border areas mainly in the context of Slovak indicators. The comparative study also hypothesis whether the cross-border region in Hungary and Slovakia behave differently in terms of absorption in the 2007-2013 programming period. Besides, as for methodology, it was used various types such as statistical data, convergence analysis by disparities, comparative studies, absorptions maps of CBC projects, cohesion analysis of the region. Finally, it is focusing on future prognosis and possible trend of the current 2014-2020 period.

Download Full-text

HYPERLOOP – The Sustainable Transportation

Advance in Environmental Waste Management & Recycling ◽

10.33140/aewmr.02.02.3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

Keyword(s):

Traffic Congestion ◽

Impact Analysis ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Transportation Systems ◽

Sustainable Transportation ◽

Transport Sector ◽

Critical Study ◽

Rapid Urbanization ◽

Transit System ◽

Transportation Sector

Due to rapid urbanization and emergence of mega-cities, urban transportation infrastructures are stressed leading to traffic congestion, high fuel consumption as well as increasing number of accidents and fatalities. Present transport sector globally is largely two-dimensional and may not be able to cope up with the growth of cities which is three-dimensional in nature, the environmental pollution, the traffic congestion, the sustainability, etc. This has led to efforts towards three dimensional transportation systems such as passenger drones, flying cars, cars moving through multi-layer underground tunnels etc. The overall concept of three-dimensional transportation demonstrates that the transportation sector has made a significant progress towards comprehending the necessity of a proper and sustainable transit system, which otherwise has implications on environment, health, infrastructure and sustainability as well. However, some of these futuristic options may be associated with safety and security concerns – both for them, as well as caused by them. Some of these options envisage utilization of artificial intelligence and even augmented reality. Technological challenges, the potential for cost-effectiveness, and their socio-economic impacts are also important considerations. Through deep and critical study, in this journal, the author will try to analyze the concept of hyper loop and its practicality; about its various components, its working, global acceptance of hyper loop and its possible advantages and unaddressed issues. Some critics are of the opinion that hyper loop is more of a hypothetical idea which is totally impractical and impossible, but optimistic experts say that it just needs some hard work, a decade’s time and huge amount of money which would then result in revolution of the whole transportation system in a unique, unpredictable and sustainable way. A cross-impact analysis to evaluate possible future scenario for this will also be taken up.

Download Full-text

Application of Imprecise Decision Modeling for Regional Development Policies in Indonesia

Jurnal Ekonomi Pembangunan Kajian Masalah Ekonomi dan Pembangunan ◽

10.23917/jep.v17i1.1734 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 50

Author(s):

Novita Erlinda ◽

Akhmad Fauzi ◽

Slamet Sutomo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regional Development ◽

Policy Development ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Decision Modeling ◽

Development Scenarios ◽

Environmental Attributes ◽

Environmental Criteria ◽

Development Policies ◽

Policy Objectives ◽

Decision Alternatives

Regional Development encompasses many aspect of economic, social, and environmental attributes. In the context of developing country, the decision to fulfill these attributes are often hindered by lack of clear development scenarios and constraints. This study is an attempt to capture the complexity of decision makers for regional development scenarios using imprecise decision modeling (IDM) by incorporating imprecise information and uncertainties. A series of social, economic and environmental criteria based on agreement from multi stakeholders dialogues were developed along with four policy development scenarios. Results from such a modeling provides variety of decision alternatives based on probabilities and risk assessment associated with achieving policy objectives.

Download Full-text

A Semi-Automated Method to Generate GIS-Based Sidewalk Networks for Asset Management and Pedestrian Accessibility Assessment

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.1177/0361198118757981 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2672 (44) ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hanyan Li ◽

Jack Cebe ◽

Sara Khoeini ◽

Yanzhi “Ann” Xu ◽

Chelsea Dyess ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Asset Management ◽

Sustainable Transportation ◽

Management Systems ◽

Manual Labor ◽

Pedestrian Navigation ◽

Automated Method ◽

Transportation Assets ◽

Pedestrian Infrastructure ◽

Computational Resources ◽

Pedestrian Accessibility

Pedestrian infrastructure that is comfortable, connected to destinations of interest, and accessible to those with disabilities is vital to a safe, accessible, equitable, and sustainable transportation system. Planners recognize the benefits of providing well-maintained sidewalks and curb ramps, but often lack the asset management systems necessary to inventory sidewalk maintenance problems, prioritize sidewalk maintenance needs, and track the implementation of sidewalk improvement projects. Communities that are managing sidewalk presence and condition data typically link the data to their roadway network, which makes tracking specific sidewalk assets difficult. This paper introduces an affordable, semi-automated, and easy-to-implement process to generate a GIS-based sidewalk network with associated links and nodes representing crosswalks and intersections. Quantitative sidewalk condition data can be loaded onto the network, which allows it to be used to manage sidewalks as transportation assets, assessing pedestrian accessibility, prioritizing repairs or improvements, and to automatically identify accessible routes between origins and destinations. System inputs include parcel-level land-use and roadway centerline data, both of which are publicly available and free in most cases. The network is generated within the ArcGIS environment, using Python scripts to implement embedded ArcGIS functions. The method requires few computational resources, and tremendously reduces the manual labor required to develop a fully interconnected sidewalk network. Examples from multiple communities are presented to show how quantitative sidewalk condition data are loaded onto the network, and illustrate the network’s potential for pedestrian navigation and routing applications.

Download Full-text