The effect of BRT implementation and streetscape redesign on physical activity: A case study of Mexico City

Authors

Annie Chang
Luis Miranda-Moreno
Jason (Xinyu) Cao
Ben Welle

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2017

Subject Area

land use - impacts, mode - bike, mode - bus rapid transit, mode - pedestrian, place - north america, place - urban

Keywords

Bus rapid transit, Active travel, Walking, Propensity score matching, Built environment, Repeated cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

The reconfiguration of urban transportation system has emerged at the forefront of population-wide interventions to tackle physical inactivity. However, the effectiveness of these interventions remains understudied, especially in developing countries. Using self-reported physical activity data from pre- and post-intervention periods, this study examines the impact of bus rapid transit (BRT) and Complete Street implementation on walking and cycling levels of catchment area residents in Mexico City. Propensity score matching is applied to control for sociodemographics when evaluating intervention effects on walking for transport, walking for recreation, and cycling for transport. On average, individuals living in post-intervention conditions tend to achieve 29 min more of walking for transport per week. However, the intervention effect on cycling for transport is insignificant. Using clustering techniques, intervention effects are evaluated across different sociodemographic groups. Women with low education experience the greatest increases in walking for transport. Sociodemographic clusters characterized by higher education experience improvements in recreational walking. Overall, BRT implementation and streetscape improvements enhance physical activity, specifically walking; and the impact of these interventions vary across different sociodemographic subgroups.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Transportation Research Part A Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09658564

Recommended Citation

Chang, A., Miranda-Moreno, L., Cao, J., & Welle, B. (2017). The effect of BRT implementation and streetscape redesign on physical activity: A case study of Mexico City. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Vol. 100, pp. 337-347.