Study: Transit Not a Panacea for Walkability After All

One of the key assumptions of a new partnership between the planning and public health professions is that transit encourages more active mobility than possible with a car-centric lifestyle. But new research casts doubt on those assumptions.

1 minute read

September 17, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Expo Line

Eric Garcetti / Flickr

"New findings by the University of Southern California and UC Irvine published in Transportation Research should give 'walkability' proselytizers some pause," according to an article by Laura Bliss. "This is one of the most comprehensive studies to date examining how access to light rail influences physical activity, and it found that having rapid transit nearby can boost steps for some—but can decrease them for others."

The study focused on physical activity by 200 participants living near Phase I of the new Expo Line in Los Angeles, which opened in 2012. According to Bliss, researchers found that although transit use increased after the new line opened, "there didn’t seem to be a significant jump in how physically active they were." When controlling for how physically active the subjects were to begin with, "individuals who were already pretty active turned out to be somewhat negatively affected by light rail access."

Bliss provides additional details on the finding of the study, and also noted how the experimental approach of this study differs from the cross-sectional approach of many previous studies that "found strong correlations between physical activity and transit use."

Saturday, September 17, 2016 in CityLab

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

White three-story brick single-room occupancy hotel in downtown Los Angeles, California.

‘Micro-Apartment’ Trend Underscores Housing Crisis

SROs are making a comeback under a new name as the housing supply remains strained and costs soar.

March 22, 2024 - Associated Press via Yahoo News

Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota skylinw with stone arched brige in foreground.

Study: How to Revitalize Downtown Minneapolis

A proposal calls for a reevaluation of the city’s skyways, a focus on street-facing businesses, and an improved public realm.

34 minutes ago - Minneapolis Post

Aerial view of Milwaukee, Wisconsin skyline with freeway interchanges in foreground at night.

Milwaukee Residents Challenge Freeway Expansion

Residents are voicing opposition to a planned expansion of Interstate 94, arguing that the project would eliminate the limited green space in the neighborhood.

1 hour ago - Spectrum News 1

Street Traffic in Manhattan

New York Congestion Pricing Approved by MTA Board

The program took another step forward as the board approved a proposed pricing scheme, but lawsuits still stand in the way of full implementation.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.