Health and economic impact assessment of active travel modes in Tehran megacity

Abstract

Health and economic benefits of active travel modes were investigated compared to air pollution and crash risk in Tehran, the capital of Iran using Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT) developed by World Health Organization (WHO). By increasing walking time duration to the range of 10–30 min from 5 and population proportion to 16.2% from 8.5%, the mortality rate would decrease to ∼112–108 from 113 and ∼735–654 from 764 in the age groups of 20–44 and 45–74 respectively. Similarly, in the cycling mode, increasing the time duration to 15–40 min from 10 and population proportion to 1.2% from 0.9%, would lead to increasing prevented premature deaths. Moreover, results of increasing PM2.5 concentration within the time range of present study showed that the benefits of physical activity outweighed the risks caused by air pollution and crash fatality. So promoting active transportation modes has significant health and economic benefits, especially for older adults.