Development of a Land Use – Transportation Network Database to Assess Air Quality Impacts of Transportation
Investigators: Larry Frank, Michael Brauer, Julian Marshall from the University of British Columbia and Eleanor Setton from the University of Victoria

Objectives:
1. To develop an integrated GIS-based walkability surface comprised of measures of intersection density, land use mix, and residential density;
2. to Integrate the walkability and exposure surfaces [click HERE to view to view the Traffic Air Pollution Model – info – report – Henderson/Brauer] to assess the probabilities of increased exposure to air pollutants based on the levels of walkability; and
3. To Model the systematic co-variation between walkability and exposure to pollutants.

Project Summary:
Increasing rates of obesity and lack of physical activity have moved the research agenda quickly forward to identify ways to design communities that are more walkable and promote active forms of transportation. Results from this research draw clear relationships between levels of land use mix, connectivity of the road network, and residential density (which comprise walkability) and the odds of being obese. However, to date no research has collectively addressed whether or not these more walkable areas are also locations with relatively higher concentrations of air pollutants.

Increased levels of land use mix, residential density, and street connectivity that have shown to increase physical activity may also have systematic associations with the exposure to air pollutants. This study will provide a better understanding of the interface between air pollution exposure and physical activity outcomes of community design to more effectively implement healthy urban environments.

Please see the Presentations page of this website for more detailed descroptions of these studies and up to date findings.