Built Environment Towards Active Transport and Health Improvements

Abstract

Arrangement and distribution of land use activities in an urban district is known as one of the potential ways influencing the patterns of urban mobilities. Providing facilities and services for residents in the vicinity of their living areas can minimize the needs for long distance travels and increase the chance of having active travels. Hence, transport policy makers, urban planners and health practitioners have been recently turning towards promoting physical activities by environmental solutions. Melbourne as a metropolitan area has encountered the risk of increasing car dependency and subsequent health problems among residents. This paper aims to investigate the association between the built environment features and active travel behaviour. Socioeconomic factors have been also considered for their important influence on transportation mode choice. Data used in this study has been provided from Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity (VISTA). Statistical analysis including Multi-Nominal Logistic (MNL) regression used to explore the relationship between variables. Promoting healthy behaviours and active commuting can be achieved by understanding current levels of physical activities as well as transport network and accessibility to various uses.