OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the environmental characteristics of ten universities, comparing the extent to which physical infra-structures are able to support a route-based walking intervention. METHOD: Following protocol standardization between and within sites, major pedestrian routes at main suburban campuses in seven countries (Australia, Canada, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Spain and the United States) were audited by researchers using an established inventory (March-June 2008). The inventory assessed key characteristics (e.g. size and employee number) and nine specific items (pedestrian facilities, vehicle conflicts, crossings, route-maintenance, walkway width, roadway buffer, universal accessibility, aesthetics and cover), scored on a five-point scale (1=very poor; 5=excellent). Item scores for each route, were combined and weighted, to provide indicators of low (score of 20-39), fair (score of 40-69), or good (score of 70-100) physical infra-structure support. RESULTS: Sites varied in area (range of 7-1000 acres) and employee numbers (range of 700-7500 employees). Audits reported good support for route-based walking at seven sites (overall route score range=72.5+/-13.9-82.2+/-17.4), fair support at two sites (overall route score of 69.1+/-11.7 and 61.7+/-14.6), and low support at one site (overall route score of 22.1+/-7.3). CONCLUSIONS: Study methods highlight a valuable audit process, while findings identify the need to improve aspects of physical infra-structure at sites where the built environment may be less conducive for route-based walking.
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the environmental characteristics of ten universities, comparing the extent to which physical infra-structures are able to support a route-based walking intervention. METHOD: Following protocol standardization between and within sites, major pedestrian routes at main suburban campuses in seven countries (Australia, Canada, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Spain and the United States) were audited by researchers using an established inventory (March-June 2008). The inventory assessed key characteristics (e.g. size and employee number) and nine specific items (pedestrian facilities, vehicle conflicts, crossings, route-maintenance, walkway width, roadway buffer, universal accessibility, aesthetics and cover), scored on a five-point scale (1=very poor; 5=excellent). Item scores for each route, were combined and weighted, to provide indicators of low (score of 20-39), fair (score of 40-69), or good (score of 70-100) physical infra-structure support. RESULTS: Sites varied in area (range of 7-1000 acres) and employee numbers (range of 700-7500 employees). Audits reported good support for route-based walking at seven sites (overall route score range=72.5+/-13.9-82.2+/-17.4), fair support at two sites (overall route score of 69.1+/-11.7 and 61.7+/-14.6), and low support at one site (overall route score of 22.1+/-7.3). CONCLUSIONS: Study methods highlight a valuable audit process, while findings identify the need to improve aspects of physical infra-structure at sites where the built environment may be less conducive for route-based walking.
Authors: So Yeon Jun; Jaewon Kim; Hyehoon Choi; Joon Sung Kim; Seong Hoon Lim; Bomi Sul; Bo Young Hong Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-02-13 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Judit Bort-Roig; Emilia Chirveches-Pérez; Maria Giné-Garriga; Lydia Navarro-Blasco; Roser Bausà-Peris; Pedro Iturrioz-Rosell; Angel M González-Suárez; Iván Martínez-Lemos; Emma Puigoriol-Juvanteny; Kieran Dowd; Anna Puig-Ribera Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-28 Impact factor: 3.390