Active Transportation
Active Transportation refers to walking, biking or using transit that requires physical activity, such as taking the subway. Investments to increase active transportation (e.g. sidewalks, better roads, and transit) help decrease air pollution and greenhouse gasses contributing to climate change, and thus address many environmental challenges and benefit overall community health. In addition to creating more active environments, investments in active transportation infrastructure help improve spatial equity—while improving safety, accessibility, and mobility for all. Active transportation affects people’s quality of life, increases economic opportunities for community members, and enhances public resources. People who use active transportation are more physically fit and have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, compared to people who only use motorized transportation. Although active transportation works for all kinds of communities, it is not always an option for everyone. Urban residents are more likely to have access to active transportation activities than rural residents.
Due to its many health benefits, increasing active transportation is an important opportunity to increase community well-being. Since inadequate infrastructure in minority and low-income communities often prevents people from using active transportation; these communities could benefit more from investments in active transportation. Equity considerations in active transportation planning in the United States are under-researched. To enable people to access and benefit from active transportation, equity must be prioritized in planning processes. Engaging those with live experience in a given community, and analysis of race, gender, age, and income in disadvantaged communities would be helpful in identifying disparities in active transportation access and use.
Investing in pedestrian facilities, bike lanes, parks, and walkable sidewalks creates opportunities for people to exercise. Prioritizing infrastructure improvements and providing safe roadway crossing for pedestrians will help change at scale. Small block sizes, pedestrian refuge islands and crow-walks are community-based change efforts that can help increase active transportation. Increasing active transportation among residents contributes to increased overall community well-being.
Resources & Tools
The Case for Healthy Places: Improving Health Outcomes through Placemaking
Resource - Case Study
Brought to you by Project for Public Spaces
Cloquet Transportation Planning
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 11/30/2014
Physical Activity Among Adults with Low Socioeconomic Status Living in Industrialized Countries: A Meta-Ethnographic Approach to Understanding Socioecological Complexities
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by MDPI
U.S. Department of Transportation: Health and Equity
Resource - Website/webpage
Brought to you by U.S. Department of Transportation
Transportation Policy Recommendations in the Eugene Climate and Energy Action Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Georgia Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Georgia Health Policy Center
Kitsap County Transportation Improvement Program Project
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Davidson Walks and Rolls: Active Transportation Master Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2012
East Aldine District's Town Center Development
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
School Based Wellness and Walkability in North Wasco County School District 21
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Rochester Waterfront Revitalization Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Downtown-Westside Baltimore
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2013
Tice Community Connectivity and Redevelopment
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2015
Hamilton Springs Transit-Oriented Development
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Loch Haven Park Improvement Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by East Central Florida Regional Planning Council
City of Sheridan Comprehensive Plan Update
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2015
Proposed Expansion of Bus Routes in Marion County, Indiana
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Planning for Parks, Green Space, and Trails in Greenville's West Side
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Columbia Transit System Expansion
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 11/30/2012
Healthy Community Design in Liberty, Missouri
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2016
Breaking Down Barriers to Fitness
Resource - Website/webpage
Brought to you by American Heart Association
Buford Highway and NE Plaza Redevelopment
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 01/02/2004
Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2014
Middlesex Greenway Use and Access Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 07/31/2014
Loch Haven Park Improvement Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 01/01/2013
South Billings Master Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 04/30/2012
Implementing the City of Los Angeles Mobility Plan 2035
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Creating Built Environments That Expand Active Transportation and Active Living Across the United States: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by American Heart Association
Robbinsville Pedestrian Connectivity Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Walkability and Urban Built Environments—A Systematic Review of Health Impact Assessments (HIA)
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by BMC
South 12th Avenue Corridor
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 11/30/2014
Connecting Rural Communities: U.S. 30 and Rainier Veterans Way Crossing
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 07/31/2015
City of Independence Complete Streets
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2011
Sunnydale Public Housing Redevelopment
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Minnesota School Location and Design
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2014
CDC Recommendations for Improving Health through Transportation Policy
Resource - Policy Brief
Brought to you by CDC
Non-Motorized Transportation Plan and Climate Sustainability Plan Recommendations
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 11/30/2012
Lawrence Green Streets Program
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 03/01/2017
Alameda County Goods Movement Planning for Health
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 03/14/2016
Delridge Corridor Multimodal Improvement Project
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Coffelt-Lamoreaux Public Housing Redevelopment
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 10/31/2013
Georgia Qualified Allocation Plan for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 08/31/2015
Parking Management in Downtown Omaha
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 04/30/2015
Traffic Speed Impacts on State Highway 99 in Corvallis, Oregon
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Fitchburg Vacant Lots
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2012
The Community Guide: Physical Activity
Resource - Website/webpage
Brought to you by The Community Guide
Understanding the Role of Equity in Active Transport Planning in the United States
Resource - Journal Article
Lower South District Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 02/29/2012
Clark County Highway 99 Sub-Area Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2007
South Lincoln Homes
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2008
Bullhead City Rotary Park Rapid
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 10/02/2014
Pinal Creek Trail
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 08/01/2015
Aberdeen Pedestrian Transportation Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 11/30/2011
Crossroads Redevelopment Area
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2012
North Avenue Corridor in Burlington, Vermont
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2014
Michigan Street Corridor Plan: A Health Impact Assessment
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by City of Grand Rapids
City of Ramsey Threshold
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 03/31/2008
Second Street Corridor-Manchester, NH
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2012
South Thornton Revitalization Subarea Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Quequechan River Rail Trail Phase 2
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Metropolitan Area Planning Council
California High-Speed Rail: San Jose to Merced Corridor
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/02/2011
Androscoggin Greenway Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 01/01/2012
Safe Routes to School Health Impact Assessment of Skiles Test and Crestview Elementary Schools
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 01/31/2013
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
Resource - Guide/handbook
Brought to you by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
George Road Complete Streets Implementation Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Active Transportation for America
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Rails to Trails Conservancy
Active Design Supplement: Shaping the Sidewalk Experience
Resource - Guide/handbook
Brought to you by Center for Active Design
West North Avenue Streetscape Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 06/01/2015
Ensuring Equity in Transportation and Land Use Decisions to Promote Health and Well-Being in Metropolitan Areas
Resource - Policy Brief
Brought to you by APHA
Washington County's Active Transportation Policies
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Building Capacity in HIA on the U.S.-Mexico Border Through Practice, Training, and Collaborative Partnerships
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Haywood County Comprehensive Bike Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Nuisance Abatement Plan in Superior, Nebraska
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Charlotte Area Transit System Blue Line Extension
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 06/30/2015
Augusta Lane Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 07/02/2014
Genesee Valley Greenway
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2018
City of Fairmont Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2013
Atlanta Regional Plan 2040
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Georgia Institute of Technology School of Architecture
Bloomfield Avenue Complete Corridor Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Baltimore Red Line
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 01/02/2008
Rochester Bike Share
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2018
Tice Community Connectivity and Redevelopment
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Florida Department of Health in Lee County
SE McLoughlin Boulevard Active Transportation Road Safety Audit
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 07/31/2014
Spokane Downtown Plan Update: Pedestrian Strategy
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
US Highway 550 Improvements
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 01/01/2011
The Role of Business in Supporting Reliable Transportation
Resource - Policy Brief
Brought to you by WIN Network
Published on 02/25/2021
Interstate 75 Focus Area Study
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 04/30/2011
Gerena Elementary School
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 08/10/2015
Fort DuPont Redevelopment Project
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2013
Winona County Active Living Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 04/01/2015
Buford Highway and NE Plaza Redevelopment
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by University of California Los Angeles
Metro Westside Subway Extension (Wilshire Corridor)
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 01/01/2012
University District Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
State Route 520 Bridge
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2007
East Bay Greenway
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2006
Community Climate Choices
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Oregon Health Authority Division of Public Health
San Diego Bus Rapid Transit Station
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2012
Benton Accessory Dwelling Units
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 01/02/2010
Douglas County Comprehensive Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2011
Westerly Creek
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 07/01/2009
Clark County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Sacramento Safe Routes to School
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 11/21/2004
St. Louis Park Comprehensive Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 10/31/2011
Ortiz Avenue Road Widening
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2012
Xcel Energy Corridor Trail
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 01/01/2015
Active Transportation in Sierra Vista
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 08/13/2016
Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization Regional Transportation Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
King Street Station Multimodal Hub
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 04/30/2011
Red Line Regional Commuter Rail-North Carolina
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 10/31/2012
Intersection Improvement in Carpentersville, Illinois
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Street Design Ordinance in Davidson, North Carolina
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 09/30/2012
Cuyahoga County Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Step it Up! The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities
Resource
Brought to you by Office of the Surgeon General of the United States
Hartford Neighborhood Revitalization and Sustainability Plan
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Healthy Food Policy Project Case Studies: Siler City, NC
Resource - Case Study
Brought to you by HFPP
Benton Accessory Dwelling Units
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Benton County Health Department
Zoning for Walkable Mixed-Use Neighborhoods
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 10/31/2012
Central Park Boulevard Commuter Rail Station-Denver
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 12/31/2011
Savannah's Tide to Town Urban Trail System
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Houston Transit-Oriented Development
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 05/31/2012
Sycamore Light Rail Station
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 04/30/2012
Gateway Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit: A Closer Look at Health and Land Use
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Transit Oriented Development Within Nashville's Northeast Corridor
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Glendale Riverwalk
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Published on 02/29/2012
Public Transportation Is a Human Right
Story - Written
Brought to you by Jacobin
Published on 07/03/2020
The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise: How Physical Activity Can Help You Become Less Anxious, Depressed and Stressed
Story
-
Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Bringing the Vital Conditions to Life: Reliable Transportation
Story
-
Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Faster. Slower. How We Walk Depends on Who We Walk With, and Where We Live.
Story - Written
Brought to you by NYT
Longer Commutes, Shorter Lives: The Costs of Not Investing in America
Story - Written
Brought to you by NYT
Published on 10/17/2023
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