TY - JOUR
T1 - The Effect of Light Rail Transit on Physical Activity
T2 - Design and Methods of the Travel-Related Activity in Neighborhoods Study
AU - Durand, Casey P.
AU - Oluyomi, Abiodun O.
AU - Gabriel, Kelley Pettee
AU - Salvo, Deborah
AU - Sener, Ipek N.
AU - Hoelscher, Deanna M.
AU - Knell, Gregory
AU - Tang, Xiaohui
AU - Porter, Anna K.
AU - Robertson, Michael C.
AU - Kohl, Harold W.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2016 Durand, Oluyomi, Gabriel, Salvo, Sener, Hoelscher, Knell, Tang, Porter, Robertson and Kohl.
PY - 2016/6/9
Y1 - 2016/6/9
N2 - Background: Use of mass transit has been proposed as a way to incorporate regular physical activity into daily life because transit use typically requires additional travel to access and depart the stop or station. If this additional travel is active, a small but potentially important amount of physical activity can be achieved daily. Although prior research has shown that transit use is associated with physical activity, important questions remain unanswered. Utilizing a major expansion of the Houston, TX, USA light-rail system as a natural experiment, the Houston Travel-Related Activity in Neighborhoods (TRAIN) Study was developed to address these unanswered questions. Purpose: The purpose of the TRAIN Study is to determine if the development of light-rail lines in Houston, TX, USA will prospectively affect both transit use and physical activity over 4 years. We also aim to understand how contextual effects (i.e., moderators or interaction effects), such as the neighborhood built environment and socioeconomic factors, affect the primary relations under study. Methods: The TRAIN Study is a longitudinal cohort design, in which participants are recruited at baseline from a 3-mile buffer around each of the three new lines and measured annually four times. Recruitment is accomplished via telephone contact, ads in newspapers and advertising circulars, and targeted community outreach. Data are collected via mail and include questionnaire-assessed factors, such as perceived neighborhood characteristics, attitudes about transportation, demographics, and reported physical activity; a travel diary; and accelerometry. Additionally, field-based neighborhood audits are conducted to capture micro-scale environmental features. To assess macro-scale environmental characteristics, we utilize GIS mapping and spatial analyses. Statistical analyses will be conducted using latent growth curve modeling and discrete choice models, with a focus on identifying moderating factors (i.e., statistical interaction effects). Selection bias will be controlled via propensity score analysis. Conclusion: The TRAIN study is a unique opportunity to study how a multi-billion dollar investment in mass transit can simultaneously affect transportation needs and physical activity behavior. This comprehensive evaluation will provide needed evidence for policy makers, and can inform health impact assessments of future transportation projects around the world.
AB - Background: Use of mass transit has been proposed as a way to incorporate regular physical activity into daily life because transit use typically requires additional travel to access and depart the stop or station. If this additional travel is active, a small but potentially important amount of physical activity can be achieved daily. Although prior research has shown that transit use is associated with physical activity, important questions remain unanswered. Utilizing a major expansion of the Houston, TX, USA light-rail system as a natural experiment, the Houston Travel-Related Activity in Neighborhoods (TRAIN) Study was developed to address these unanswered questions. Purpose: The purpose of the TRAIN Study is to determine if the development of light-rail lines in Houston, TX, USA will prospectively affect both transit use and physical activity over 4 years. We also aim to understand how contextual effects (i.e., moderators or interaction effects), such as the neighborhood built environment and socioeconomic factors, affect the primary relations under study. Methods: The TRAIN Study is a longitudinal cohort design, in which participants are recruited at baseline from a 3-mile buffer around each of the three new lines and measured annually four times. Recruitment is accomplished via telephone contact, ads in newspapers and advertising circulars, and targeted community outreach. Data are collected via mail and include questionnaire-assessed factors, such as perceived neighborhood characteristics, attitudes about transportation, demographics, and reported physical activity; a travel diary; and accelerometry. Additionally, field-based neighborhood audits are conducted to capture micro-scale environmental features. To assess macro-scale environmental characteristics, we utilize GIS mapping and spatial analyses. Statistical analyses will be conducted using latent growth curve modeling and discrete choice models, with a focus on identifying moderating factors (i.e., statistical interaction effects). Selection bias will be controlled via propensity score analysis. Conclusion: The TRAIN study is a unique opportunity to study how a multi-billion dollar investment in mass transit can simultaneously affect transportation needs and physical activity behavior. This comprehensive evaluation will provide needed evidence for policy makers, and can inform health impact assessments of future transportation projects around the world.
KW - active travel
KW - built environment
KW - light rail
KW - physical activity
KW - transit
KW - transportation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85042236854&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85042236854&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpubh.2016.00103
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2016.00103
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85042236854
SN - 2296-2565
VL - 4
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
JF - Frontiers in Public Health
M1 - 103
ER -