Promoting Active Transportation

7/30/2019 Promoting Active Transportation

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M

akingthe

Case

Theconnectionbetweentransportationandhealthisindisputableasascience,discipline

andmatterofpolicy.Transportationsystemsimpacthealthforbetterorworse.Historically,they

havebeendesignedtoaccommodatenonactivemodesoftransportation,namelythecar.Our

communitiesaresprawlingandbuiltinawaythatitmakesitverydifficultforanindividualto

gettowork,home,schoolorplaywithoutdriving.Therearelimitedopportunitiestogetoutof

thecartowalkorbicycle.Unnecessarycongestionandairpollutionhavebecomecustomaryand

ourwaistlinesaregrowing.ObesitycouldedgeouttobaccoaspublicenemyNo.1inourlifetime.

Luckily,asmallbutpassionatemovementintheUnitedStatesishappeningtocreatehealthier,

moreconnectedcommunitieswheretherearesafeplacestowalk,bicycleandplay,and

publictransitiswithinwalkingdistanceofhomeorwork.Thismovementisaimingtoensurethatthehealthychoiceisalsotheeasiestone.

Inmanyofthesecommunities,publichealthpractitionersareleadingthewaytoensurehealth

isconsideredintransportationandland-useplanninganddecisionmaking.Publichealth

workersareuniquelypoisedtobringimprovedtransportationsystemstothecommunitiesthat

needthemmost.

Itisourhopethatwecanbuilduponthisimportantmovementtowardsamoreactive,safer

andhealthiercountry.Withthehelpofourpublichealthcolleagues,wecancreatearipple

effectacrossallcommunities.Thisprimerisoneofmanytoolsthatwillhelpthiswork.Withthe

growingrateofobesity,thehighcostofgasandclimatechange,wemustrethinkandreshape

ourtransportationsystemsandnetworkstopromoteactivetransportation.

Preface

GeorgesC.Benjamin,MD,FACP,

FNAPA,FACEP(E),HonFRSPH,isthe

executivedirectoroftheAmerican

PublicHealthAssociation

DeborahHubsmithisthefounding

directoroftheSafeRoutestoSchool

NationalPartnership

PHOTO CREDITS: American Public Health Association, Safe Routes to School National Partnership


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ItshometotheGreatSmokyMountains,

ElvisPresleysfinalrestingplaceandis

consideredbymanytobethebirthplaceof

theblues.Sadly,Tennesseeisalsohometo

oneofthenationshighestobesityrates,

withanadultobesityrateofnearly32

percentasof2011andthesixthhighestrate

ofchildhoodobesity.

Tomakeadentinthestatesgrowing

waistline,publichealthworkersin

Nashville,DavidsonCounty,tappedinto

aninterventionpointthateveryonehas

incommon:theneedtotravel.Armed

withtheknowledgethatresidentswho

usepublictransitaremorelikelytomeet

dailyrecommendationsforphysical

activity,workerswiththeMetroPublic

HealthDepartmentpartneredwithstaff

atNashvillesMetroTransitAuthoritytopromotepublictransitandhelplocal

employersincorporatepoliciesthat

encourageemployeestoengageinactive

transportation.

Bicyclingisalsoacenterpieceofthe

departmentsactivetransportationplans.

Thankstoitsefforts,morebicyclesarenow

availableforusefreeofchargeinthe

citysparksandgreenways,andanurban

bikeshareprogramisunderdevelopment.To

makeitsaferforpedestriansandbicyclists,

thepublichealthdepartmentalsolaunched

itseducationalMovinginHarmonycampaign

inMarch2012.

So,whyshouldapublichealthdepartment

getinvolvedintheactivetransportation

conversation?Becauseitstherightthing

todo,saysTracyBuck,whodirectshealth

promotionactivitiesattheMetroPublic

HealthDepartment.Itsallaboutwhatthe

healthdepartmentisresponsibleforandthatsprotectingandpromotingthehealth

ofthecommunity,Bucksays.So,howcan

wenotbeinvolvedintheseconversations?

InadditiontoworkattheMetroPublic

HealthDepartment,theNashvilleArea

MetropolitanPlanningOrganizationhas

raisedawarenessandincreasedfunding

levelsfortheSafeRoutestoSchoolprogram

toimprovethebuiltenvironmentsaround

schools.

Iftheresonemessagethisprimershouldleaveyouthepublichealth

practitionerwith,itsthis:Everyone travels. Whetheritisforwork,

schoolorplay,howweasindividualsandasasocietytravelhasimpacts

thatgofarbeyondtheseeminglysimpleandroutineactofgoingfrom

oneplacetoanother.

Thiscommontraitprovidesanidealinterventionpointforpublichealth

practitioners.Infact,itmaybeoneofthefewinterventionpointswiththepotentialtotransformindividualhealth,communityhealthand

environmentalconditionsallatthesametime.Inotherwords,inatime

oftightbudgets,limitedresources,decliningworkforcenumbersand

growinghealthproblems,creatingopportunitiesforsafebicyclingand

walkingcanliterallyprovidepublichealthpractitionerswithoneofthe

biggestbangsfortheiralready-stretchedbuck.

Increasedphysicalactivityratesandtheopportunitytopositivelyimpact

obesityandtraffic-relateddeathandinjuryratesmayimmediatelycome

tomind.Forexample,street-scaleimprovementssuchassidewalks,

saferstreetcrossingconfigurations,multi-usepathwaysandbikelanescandramaticallyincreaseratesofphysicalactivityandreduceinjuryrisk.

AsnotedintheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionsGuideto

CommunityPreventiveServices,street-scaleimprovementssuchasthese

haveresultedinamedianincreaseinsomeaspectsofphysicalactivityof

35percent.1

Morebicyclingandwalkingcanalsomeanlessairpollutioninthe

communitytoaggravateandtriggerrespiratoryillness,aswellas

moreopportunitiesforsocialinteractionandcommunitycohesionthat

havepositiveimpactsformentalhealth.(Ofcourse,officialsshould

takenotethatbicyclingandwalkinginfrastructurecreatednearhigh-

trafficareascouldincreaseresidentsexposuretopollution.)Improvedwalkabilityandbikeabilityalsoactaseconomicdrivers,whichcanhave

atrickle-downeffectforhealth.Forexample,streetimprovementsthat

increasepedestriantrafficcanhelpattractnewbusinesses,revitalize

neighborhoodsandbringhealthyopportunitiestoentirecommunities,

suchasmorestoresthatsellfresh,affordableandnutritiousfoods.

Activetransportationisanincredibleopportunityforpublichealth

practitionerstoleveragelimitedresourcestoproducemultiplehealth

benefits,directprogresstowardlong-heldpublichealthgoalsandcurb

healthcarespending.

Health andTransportation


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The CDC defines ac tive transportation as any self propelled, human-powered mode

of transportation, such as walking or bicycling (www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/

transportation/promote_strategy.htm). Ac ti ve tr an sp or ta ti on ha s pr ov en he al thbenefits, can reduce vehicle miles traveled and benefit the environment as well as provide

su bs ta nt ia l ec on om ic be ne fi t to co mm un it ie s.

Recent findings from a nonmotorized transportation pilot program conducted by the

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to gather statistical information on mode

sh ar e sh if ts wh en ne w in fr as tr uc tu re an d ed uc at io n pr og ra ms we re im pl em en te d in fo ur

communities showed that:

Roughly, 16 million miles were walked or bicycled that otherwise would have been

traveled by driving; bicycling increased by 36 percent and walking increased by 14

pe rcen t.

Emissions decrease d by more than 7,700 tons of CO2; th is is eq ua l to sa vi ng on e ga ll on ofga s pe r pe rs on in th e fo ur co mm un it ie s or 1.7 mi ll io n ga ll on s of ga s ov er al l.

Injuries were reduced: Even with the increased rates of walking and bicycling, fatal

crashes remained the same or decreased.

The communities reduced the economic cost of mortality by $6.8 million.

Si mi la rl y, Sa fe Ro ut es to Sc ho ol in fr as tr uc tu re ha s be en sh ow n to in cr ea se ph ys ic al ac ti vi ty

in children by 20 to 200 percent; also, the safety benefit generates up to a 49 percent

decrease in childhood bicycle and p edestrian collision rates.

Thisprimerisintendedtogiveanintroductionandorientationtoastowhyandhowhealthshouldbeconsideredintransportationplanninganddecision-makinginparticularthrough

activetransportationandtherolethatpublichealthpractitionerscanplay.Inityouwillfind:

Examplesofhowtobecomeinvolvedwithtransportation,landuseandbuiltenvironment

decisionsatvariouslevelsinyourcommunity,regionorstate.

Commonwaysinwhichpublichealthprofessionalscanbecomeleadersinthedevelopment

ofactivetransportationpolicies.

Abriefoverviewofhowtransportationprogramsareorganizedandfunded.

Suggestionsforwaystoengage.

Youalsowillfindavarietyofresources,ideasandadditionalinformationlistedthroughoutthis

documenttohelpyoudigdeeperintoparticularaspectsandtoconnectwithotherpartnersand

experts.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/transportation/promote_strategy.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/transportation/promote_strategy.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/transportation/promote_strategy.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/transportation/promote_strategy.htm


5/26T h e T r a n s p o r t a t i o n P l a n n i n g P r o c e s s

Inrecentyears,transportationandpublichealthpractitionershavebeguntofind

waystoworkcollaborativelyinavarietyofcapacities.Withthepassageofthe

latestfederaltransportationbill,MovingAheadforProgressinthe21stCentury

(MAP-21),nowineffectfortwoyearsbeginningOctober2012,theroleofpublic

healthprofessionalshasbecomeevenmoreimportant.Workingtogether,public

healthpractitioners,statedepartmentsoftransportation(DOTs),metropolitan

planningorganizations(MPOs),localgovernments,andwalkingandbicycling

supporterssuchasSafeRoutestoSchoolvolunteerscanmaximizethenewand

flexibleMAP-21fundingstreams.Whetherencouragingtheinclusionofasidewalk

onanewroadorconductingahealthimpactassessmentonamassivehighway

project,thepublichealthcommunitycanplayavitalroleincreatingactive

transportationsystemsthatbenefitthenationshealthandlimithealthspending.

Who are the Stakeholders?

Thefollowingoverviewprovidesthebasicbuildingblocksofthetransportation

planningprocess,relevantplayersandfundingprocessesforactivetransportation

initiatives.

Transportationagencies,suchasMPOsandstateDOTs,worktogethercloselyand

routinely,giventhemulti-jurisdictionalandever-growingnatureoftransportation

networks.Theconnectionsbetweenandacrosstransportationorganizations

whetheratthefederal, state, regional or local levelareintricateand

potentiallybringadditionalinteragencycollaboration.Forexample,asmaller-

scaletransportationprojectthatisfundedwithfederaldollarsandplannedatthe

statelevelmightalsoinvolvealocaldepartmentofpublicworks;manyplayerscan

The TransportationPlanning Process

Figure 1.

Overlapping

relationships withinthe transportation

pl an ni ng pr oc es s.

Federal

State

Regional

Local


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beinvolvedonanygivenproject.Muchoftransportationplanninganditsfundingvariesfrom

statetostateandisnuancedevenfurtheramongcountiesandcities.

Knowinginadvancewhichtransportationagencyisresponsibleforwhichkindsofprojectsand

initiativeswillsaveyoutimeandeffortasyougetmoreinvolvedintheplanningprocess.

Beforeunderstandingthedifferentagenciesthatareinvolved,ithelpstounderstandhow

transportationprojectsareplanned.TheFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA)listsfive

majorphasesforhighwayprojects:planning,projectdevelopment,finaldesign,rightofway

andconstruction. 2Routinemaintenanceandoperationswillfollowtheconstructionofthe

transportationproject.Thesephasescanapplytomanyotherkindsoftransportationprojects,

suchastransitfacilitydevelopmentortrailexpansion.Thenumberofphasesandtheirnuances

willdifferslightlyacrossthestates,butmosttransportationprojectswillgothroughsome

variationofthesephases.

Theplanning phase offers the

best opportunity forpublic

healthprofessionalstomakean

impact.Planningisnormallyled

byeitherthestateDOToranMPO

andoftenusesfederalfunding.

Howtransportationfundsflowis

criticalinunderstandingwhatis

andwhatisnotfeasiblein

termsofinformingtransportation

planningtoimprovehealth.

Whilefundingfortransportation

projectsmaycomefromfederal,

stateorlocalsources,many

timesitismadepossiblebya

combinationofthesesources.This

overviewcoversthefederal,state,

regionalandlocalstakeholders

andsharesideaswithpublic

healthpractitionersonwaysto

getinvolvedonalllevels.

Federal

Approximatelyeveryfiveyears,transportationbillsarepassedbytheU.S.Congressthat

authorizetheuseoffundsforvarioustransportationprograms.TheFHWAistheleadagency

withintheU.S.DepartmentofTransportation(U.S.DOT)thatoverseeshighwayprogram

administrationandprovidesfinancialandtechnicalsupporttostateandtribalgovernments

thatadministertheprogramslocally.InlateJune2012,Congresspassedanewfederal

transportationbill,MAP-21,whichmakessignificantchangestofundingforbicyclingand

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Figure 2.Phases of a

transportation

pr oj ec t.

Planning

Project development (preliminary design)

Final design

Right of way (land purchase)

Maintenance and operations

Construction



walkingincommunitiesacrossthecountry.TheSafeRoutesto

Schoolprogram,theRecreationalTrailsprogramandTransportation

Enhancementsarecombinedunderthislawintoanewprogram,

TransportationAlternatives.ThefundinglevelforTransportationAlternatives,aswellasotherneweligibleusessuchasenvironmental

mitigation,totalsapproximately$800millionayear,whichisa30

percentreductionfromthepreviousyear.State,regionalandlocal

transportationagencieswillreceivefederalsupportunderthenew

lawinotherways,suchasthroughtechnicalassistance,grantfunding

andguidance.

Inaddition,thefederaltransportationbillclearlystatesthatthepublicwillhaveaccessto

andmaybeinvolvedinthetransportationplanningprocess.AccordingtotheFHWA,public

involvement needstobeanearlyandcontinuingpartofthetransportationandproject

developmentprocess.Itisessentialthattheprojectsponsorknowsthecommunitysvaluesinordertoavoid,minimize,andmitigateimpacts.3Publicparticipationofferspublichealth

professionalsawaytoprovidehealth-relatedinsightsonplannedprojects.Whiledeeperand

moreformalrelationships(e.g.,servingonanMPOsboard)shouldbefosteredwhenpossible

withtransportationagencies,thepublicinvolvementprocesscanbeanimportantfirststepto

participatinginplanningactivities.

Additionally,thereareafewotherfederally-funded transportation programs throughwhich

stakeholdersmaybeabletosecurefundingforbicyclingandwalking.TheCongestionMitigation

andAirQualityImprovementProgram(CMAQ)fundstransportationprojectsthatimproveair

qualityandreducetrafficcongestion;thisprogramhelpsmeetrequirementsunderthenations

CleanAirAct.Secondly,theHighwaySafetyImprovementProgram(HSIP)fundsprojectsthat

aimtosignificantlyreducetransportationfatalitiesandinjuries.EligibleHSIPprojectsarelistedinastatesStrategicHighwaySafetyPlan(SHSP)andcanbeimplementedonanypublicroad.

Inaddition,theSurfaceTransportationProgram(STP)providesflexibilityforawidevarietyof

transportationprojects,includingpedestrian,bicycleandSafeRoutestoSchoolprojects.Finally,

theU.S.DOTperiodicallyoffersgrant-fundedopportunitiesthatsupportbicyclingandwalkingin

communities.

TheConclusion sectionofthisprimerlistsseveralsuggestedwaysthatpublichealth

practitionerscanandhavemadeanimpactatalllevelsfederal,state,regionalandlocal.The

CaseStudiesfurtherhighlightreal-worldexamplesofwaystogetinvolved.Asamplingofways

forpublichealthprofessionalstomakeanimpactisprovidedbelowandinothersub-sections

movingforward.Nextstepsatthenationallevel:

Informyourelectedofficialsabouttheimportanceofactivetransportationoptionsinyour

community.

Recruitotherinterestedparties(e.g.,parents,teachers,doctors,nurses,businessowners)

andpublichealthprofessionalstoeducateyourelectedofficialsabouttransportationand

healthissues.


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State

ThestateDOTbuildsandmanagesroads,streets,bridgesandothertransportationassets,suchas

pedestrianandbicyclefacilities.Thisisthestateagencyresponsibleforstatewidetransportationprogramsandprojects.Thestatewide long-range transportation plan (LRTP)andthe

statewide transportation improvement program (STIP)arethemainplanningtoolscreated

andusedatastateDOT,usuallyforareaswithless

than50,000residents.[Forareaswithgreaterthan

50,000residents,theregionalMPOisresponsible

fortheregionallong-rangetransportationplan

andthetransportationimprovementprogram(TIP).

NotethatthefederallawcallsforthestateDOTand

MPOtoworktogetherindevelopingthesetools,

whereverthetoolsmaybehoused.]

Broadtransportationgoals,policiesandobjectives

areusuallydeterminedbythestateDOT,andthese

aredetailedintheLRTP,whichisdevelopedwith

a20-yeartimehorizonbutisupdatedeveryfour

tofiveyears.Theopenmeetingsandprocessesof

developingandimplementingboththeLRTPand

theSTIPareaprimeengagementopportunityfor

publichealthpractitioners,asshownintheCaseStudyexamplefromtheLosAngelesCounty

DepartmentofPublicHealth.

AsapartoftheLRTPsimplementation,analysesandtravelforecastsareconductedtodetermine

whichprojectswillbedevelopedinagiventimeframe.ThefulllistofstateprojectsslatedforfundingisintheSTIP;thisprogramguidesthedesign,constructionandmaintenanceof

transportationsystems.Again,theseprogramsconformtolegislationonpublicinvolvementand

providepublichealthprofessionalswithonewaytoengage.

State-derivedrevenuesfortransportationvarywidely.Fortunately,therearemanyopportunities

tofocusthesefundingstreamsonwalking,bicyclingandpublictransitimprovements.InIllinois,

forexample,thereisalong-standing,annualdedicationfromthecartitletransfertaxtosupport

trailandbicycle/pedestrianimprovementsinlocalcommunities.InJune2012,thestateofHawaii

passedanewlawthatassessesasurchargeof$25forviolationsofspeedinginaschoolzoneand

a$10surchargeonvarioustrafficviolationsanddepositsthesesurchargesintoaSafeRoutesto

Schoolprogramspecialfund.ThelawcreatescountySafeRoutestoSchoolprogramcoordinators

whowillprovide...school-basedandcommunity-basedworkshopsandinfrastructureandnon-

infrastructureprojectsthatwillreducevehiculartrafficandcongestion,encouragewalkingand

bicycling,andpromotehealthandsafetyaroundHawaiisschools.

Nextstepsatthestatelevel:

Geteducatedaboutstate-scaleplanningprocessesandhowplanscanincludeactive

transportationcomponents.

Buildrelationshipswithstate-leveltransportationprofessionalsandconnectthemwith

otheractivetransportationpractitionersandprofessionalorganizations.

Figure 3. Which

organization

typically develops

the long-range

pl an s an d th e

capital programs?

It depends on

the size of the

community.

Population

of

50,000

Less than:

State DOT

responsible

More than:

MPO

responsible



JoincommitteesofthestateDOTthatareworkingongoals

andprioritiessuchasthoseintheLRTPorSHSPthat

arerelatedtotransportationandsafetyandensurethatactive

transportationandequitableaccessareincluded.

Gatherandprovidedataontheimpactoftransportation

decisionsonvulnerablepopulationsoronhealthingeneral.

Encouragehealthimpactassessmentsconductedbystate

orcountypublichealthorganizationsontransportation

projects.

Regional

AnMPOisanagencycreatedanddesignedtocarryoutthefederallymandatedmetropolitan

planningprocess,normallyforurbanareaswithapopulationgreaterthan50,000;itisrequired

bylawtoconductinclusivetransportationplanningactivities,suchasholdingpublicmeetings.Whilepublicinvolvementisafederalrequirement,atransportationagencyseffectivenessin

engagingandencouragingthepublictoparticipateinthetransportationplanningprocessvaries

tremendouslyacrosscommunities.

MPOsmayfocusexclusivelyontransportationoronbothtransportationandlanduse.As

previouslynoted,insmallercommunitiesandruralareas,eitherthestateDOT,aRuralPlanning

Organization(RPO)oralocalgovernmentbodymayberesponsibleforconductingplanning

activities.4Whenthepopulationinaregionexceeds50,000,theMPOistheorganizationthat

developstheregional LRTPandthe regional TIP.

Theimportanceofregional public transit systemsandtransitplanningshouldnotbe

overlooked,especiallysincepeoplewholiveincommunitieswithpublictransittendtodrivelessandexercisemorethanthosewholiveincommunitiesthatlackqualitypublictransit.Public

transitoffersalotofopportunityforimprovedhealthoutcomesgiventhatitislesspolluting,

saferandfarmoresupportiveofactivetransportationwhencomparedtoprivateautomobile

use.Thearrayofoptionsforpublictransportationwhetherbuslines,paratransitorrideshare

alsooffermanyopportunitiesforsafetravel,improvedaccessandincreasedphysicalactivity.

Forexample,onestudyfoundthatmenwhocommutetoworkviapublictransitare44.6percent

lesslikelytobeoverweightorobeseduetoincreasedactivecommutingthanthosewhodonot

commutetoworkviapublictransit.5

Attheregionallevel,thedevelopmentofbicycle and pedestrian master plans , whichaim

toincreaseopportunitiesforactivetransportation,isflourishing.Bicycleandpedestrianmaster

planstypicallyoutlinepolicies,streetclassifications,designguidelinesandprojects.Theseplans

providealong-rangevisionforactivetravelinfrastructureandpolicies.Whileoftenproducedat

theregionallevel,theymayalsobeproducedatthestate,countyorcitylevel.Thedevelopment

ofabicycleandpedestrianmasterplanprovidesanidealwayforpublichealthpractitionersto

identifyandsupportevidence-basedpolicychangesthatimprovehealthoutcomesandaddress

relatedenvironmentalandequityissues,suchasincreasedphysicalactivity,reducedobesity,

improvedairqualityandlowerratesofroadway-relateddeathandinjury.CompleteStreet

policies,whichdefinehowtransportationplanning,design,constructionandmaintenancewill

serveallusers,canalsobeincludedinbicycleandpedestrianmasterplans.


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Nextstepsattheregionallevel:

AttendcommitteemeetingsatyourMPOtogeteducatedontheissuesandtobuild

relationshipswiththeMPOsleaders.

Workwithotherinterestedparties(e.g.,underservedcommunities,faith-based

organizations,bicyclingandpedestriangroups)toensureroutinerepresentationatMPO

meetingsonkeyprojectsandplanningprocesses;thiswillkeepyouinformedandwill

providerepresentationattheseevents.

Supplydataandanalysestoinformdecision-makersatMPOmeetingsorregionalpublic

transitmeetingsabouttheconnectionsbetweentransportationandhealth.

Encourageacommunityhealthdirectororpublichealthprofessionaltoserveonyour

regionsMPOboard.

Local

Atthelocallevel,planningforactivetransportationisfocusedonvariouslanduseand

communitydesignregulations,suchasstreet-scaledesignguidelines,zoningcodes,subdivision

regulationsandothercomprehensivecityorcountyplans.Atthislevel,agenciesarebeginning

toinstitutionalizepublichealthreviewprocessesfornewdevelopmentandzoningapprovals,

providingforwidersidewalks,trafficcalming,spaceforcanopystreettreesandotherstreet-scale

improvementsthatcreatesafeopportunitiesforphysicalactivity.Forexample,inColumbus,Ohio,

Figure 4. A range

of ways to get

involved, with

many connections

across activities,

pr og rams an d

agencies.

Federal

National

Transportation

law (2-5 years)

Grant

opportunities Training,

research

State DOT

Statewide

STIP (4 years)

LRTP (20 years)

MPO

Regional

TIP (4 years)

Master plans

Public transit

Local

government

Community-

level

Zoning

ordinances General plans



thelocalpublichealthdepartmenthiredanurbanplannertohelp

facilitateworkbetweenthepublichealthdepartmentandplanning

andzoningofficials.

Inaddition,citiesandcountiesmaydevelopgeneralplans,alsoknown

ascomprehensiveplans.Thisisapolicydocumentthatestablishesa

visionofwhatasmallercommunitywantstolooklikeinthefuture

andoutlinesthegoalsandstrategiestoachievethatvision.Some

areasareusinghealthinallpoliciesstrategiesasathemefortheir

generalplanupdates.Sometimes,bicycleandpedestrianmasterplans

andCompleteStreetpoliciesareadoptedasstand-alonedocuments

orwithinageneralplan.

Localmunicipalitiesmaysupplementtheirtransportationprojectdollarsbyissuinglocalbonds

orlevyingtaxes.Also,localfundingstreamsoftenfundactivetransportationatitshighestlevels

inurbanizedareas.Forexample,intheSanFranciscoBayArea,justone-thirdofitsregionstransportationfundingcomesfromfederalandstatedollars.Inspring2012,stronglocalefforts

involvingpublichealthleadersinSanFranciscoweresuccessfulinincludingpolicylanguage

thatanycityorcountythatreceivesfundingaspartoftheOneBayAreaGrantfundingprogram

fortransportationmusthaveaCompleteStreetspolicythatmeetsnineminimumcriteria.Local

fundingexamplesalsocanbeinitiatedbycities,countiesorschooldistrictsandmayincludeuser

fees,salesandpropertytaxinvestments,aswellasbondinitiatives.Forexample,inPinellas

County,Florida,muchofthePinellasTrailsystemwasbuiltusingaportionofa1-centsalestax

increaseapprovedbyvoters.

Nextstepsatthelocallevel:

Stayinformedaboutwhatshappeninginyourcommunity.

Startalocaltaskforceorcoalitionifonedoesnotexist.

Partnerwithalocalbicycleorpedestriangroup.

Ensurethatahealthperspectiveisincludedinthedevelopmentofanytransportationand

landuseplansandkeyprojects.

Provideevidenceforzoningordinanceoptionsthatsupporthealthycommunities.

Insummary,therearemanywaysforpublichealthpractitionerstosupportactivetransportation

intheircommunities,regions,statesandthroughoutthenation.Thenewfederaltransportation

legislationofferssomeflexibilityforusingspecificfundsforarangeofprojecttypes.TheSafe

RoutestoSchoolNationalPartnershipsMAP-21ResourceCenterwillcontainupdatedinformationthroughoutthetwo-yearbill,whichgoesintoeffectinOctober2012.


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Whetheryouareworkingasapublichealthpractitionerinasmalltown

orinthelargestmetropolitanareasofthecountry,yourinvolvementin

transportationplanningcanbetransformativetotheprocessofactive

transportationplanningandfunding,asdemonstratedbythreeselect

casestudysuccessstories.

The Role of Public Healthin Informing Long-Range

Transportation Planning in t heSouthern California Region

InsouthernCalifornia,long-rangetransportationplanningaffects

thelivesofmillionsofpeople.TheSouthernCaliforniaAssociationof

Governments(SCAG)servesastheMPOforthesix-countyregionin

southernCalifornia.Encompassingmorethan18millionpeople,191cities

andsixcounties,SCAGproducesa25-yearlong-rangetransportationplan

(RTP)everyfouryearsforfundinglevelsthattop$500billion.

Inthisregion,21percentofalltripsaremadebypeoplewalkingand

bicyclingand25percentofallroadwayfatalitiesinvolvebicyclistsand

pedestrians.ObesityratesforresidentswithintheSCAGregionhaveclimbedtonearly24percent,withadultobesityratesforsomeracial

andethnicgroupsinLosAngelesCountyreportingratesofnearly30percent.However,funding

levelsforwalkingandbicyclingbarelyequaledafractionofapercentinthelastRegional

TransportationPlan.

AsSCAGbeganitspublicreviewprocessinmid-2011,itquicklybecamecleartocommunity

leadersinpublichealthandwithSafeRoutestoSchoolthatSCAGhadproposeditsinitial

fundingrecommendationtoincreaseactivetransportationfundingfrom0.46percentin2008

to1.3percentbeforedevelopingacomprehensivemethodologytounderstandtheneedand

calculatethecostforbuildingwalkableandbikeablecommunitiesthroughoutthesouthern

Californiaregion.SCAGhadlookedonlyatalimitednumberofplansanddatasets.Forexample,

inLosAngelesCountyacountycomprisedof88citiesonlyfourofthosecitieshave

pedestrianplansthathadbeenapprovedfromOctober2001toOctober2011.

DuetotheirinvolvementwiththeSafeRoutestoSchoolNationalPartnershipsnetworkin

theSouthernCaliforniaregion,theLosAngelesCountyDepartmentofPublicHealth(LACDPH)

becameinvolvedintheSCAGRTPprojectanddeterminedthatitcouldassistSCAGsplanning

processbyprovidingarealisticcostforbuildingwalkableandbikeablecommunitiesintheSCAG

region.

Case StudySuccess Stories

12


13/26C a s e S t u d y S u c c e s s S t o r i e s

Wesawanexcellentroleforourpublichealthdepartmenttoplay:

collectingdata,saidJeanArmbruster,directorofthePoliciesforLivable,

ActiveCommunitiesandEnvironmentsProgramwithinLACDPHSDivision

ofChronicDiseaseandInjuryPrevention.

WithaquickturnaroundandknowingtheRTPwouldbeadoptedinthe

springof2012LACDPHdevelopedamethodologyforcalculatingthe

costsofbuildingactivetransportationnetworksbasedonbroaderdata

andbroughtittoSCAGstaff,policymakersandpartnersinthefallof2011.

(AlinktothePoliciesforLivable,ActiveCommunitiesandEnvironments

Programisprovidedinthe Resources section.)LACDPHanalyzeddata

fromavarietyofsourcestoestimatethepercapitacoststodevelopandmaintainpedestrianand

bicyclistinfrastructure;thesepercapitacostswerethenappliedtotheentirepopulationofthe

SCAGregion.

LACDPHcompileddatafrombicycleandpedestrianmasterplans,bikefacilitymaintenancecosts,coststoclosegapsinbikewaynetworks,sidewalkmaintenance,SafeRoutestoSchoolfunding,

andTransit-OrientedDevelopmentcosts.Theirworkfoundthatthetotalcostsneededtocreate

anactivetransportationsystemforthesixcountyregionwouldbeanestimated$37-$60billion

orapproximately7-11percentoftheoverallfundingintheplan,versustherecommendedlevelof

1.3percentinincreasedactivetransportationfunding.

Nowequippedtobeabletocommunicatethetrueneedsofabroader,moreequitablecross-

sectionofSCAGcommunitiesandnotjustlimitedtodataprovidedbycommunitiesthat

alreadyhadactivetransportationmasterplansLACDPH,SafeRoutestoSchoolsupportersand

othershavebeenabletoshifttheemphasisoftheconversationfromwhatfundscouldbemade

availabletowhatisactuallyrequiredtocreatesaferactivetransportationformillionsofpeople

alreadywalkingandbicyclingandmillionsmorewhowoulddosoifitweresaferandmore

accessible.

Throughouttheprocess,publichealthdepartmentstaffandSafeRoutestoSchoolNational

PartnershippolicystaffmetwithSCAGleadershipforfeedbackontheirmethodology.This

feedbackwasinstrumentalinaddingtransportationsystemmaintenancecalculationstothedata

collectionandhelpedtobuildacollaborativeworkingrelationshipamongstaff.

Duringpublichearings,publichealthpractitionersandhealthcareprovidersdeliveredmessages

todecision-makersbasedonthenewLACDPHdata,educatingontheneedandbenefitsofactive

transportation.Inaddition,severalpublichealthdepartmentsjoinedassignersontheofficial

commentletterprovidedforreviewbytheregionalcommissioners.

Whilefundinginthe2012RTPforsouthernCaliforniawillnotreachtheneededlevelsthatactive

transportationsupportershadhopedfor,thisnewneed-drivendatahasprovidedaframework

forcontinuedconversations.Inthecurrentplan,fundingforactivetransportationtriplesabove

the2008numbersto$6.7billion.

Equallyimportanttothedatahavebeentherelationshipsbuiltbetweenpublichealth

practitionersandtheMPOstaff.Thishaslednotonlytocontinueddiscussionsaboutfunding

adequateactivetransportationinfrastructures,buthashelpedtoprioritizeplanningand


14/26

14

evaluationdifferentlyintheimplementationprocess,suchasdevelopingandtrackinghealth

andequitymetricstobetterunderstandtransportation-relatedhealthoutcomes.Inaddition,theworkledtothecreationofthreeregionalactivetransportationplanstoincreaseSCAGs

technicalandpolicyleadershipby2014,includingCompleteStreets,strategicfinanceandSafe

RoutestoSchoolplans.

The Role of Public Health in Encouragementand Policy Suppor t for Active Transportationin Columbus, Ohio

Publichealthprofessionalscanhaveamajorimpactonlocalprojects,andgoodpolicies

andprocessesthatconsiderhealtheffectscanhaveadramaticinfluenceonacommunitys

walkabilityandbikeability.Take,forexample,Columbus,Ohio.

Researchrecognizingthelinkbetweenhealthandthedesignofthebuiltenvironmentprompted

ColumbusPublicHealth(CPH)tocreatetheHealthyPlacesProgramin2006.Themissionofthe

HealthyPlacesProgramistoenhancehealthyandactivelivingbyestablishingdevelopment

policiesandpracticesthatreducenegativehealthimpacts,aswellastocreateplacesthat

fosterphysicalactivityaspartofeverydaylife.Theprogram,whichisfundedbyCPHand

staffedbyafull-timeurbanplanner,workswithindividualneighborhoods,schoolsandschool

districtsonSafeRoutestoSchooltravelplansandacrosscitydepartmentsinmyriadways

resultinginuniquepublichealthpartnershipsthatchangetheenvironmentinsupportofactive

transportation.



Development Policies & Practices

Rezoning Review

TheHealthyPlacescoordinatorprovideseducationalrecommendations

ondevelopmentapplicationstoincreaseactivelivingfeaturesinprivate

developmentthroughthecitysrezoning(orlandusechange)process.

From2006through2011,HealthyPlaceswasinvolvedinthereviewof

159rezoningapplications.Throughthisprocess,55percentofprivate

developersvoluntarilyadoptedandimplementedoneormoreoftheactive

transportationelementsthatwererecommendedbutnotrequiredbythezoningcode.

Parking Code Changes

AnewparkingcodewaspassedinMay2010requiringparkinglotstoincorporatewalkingandbicyclinginfrastructurerecommendedbyHealthyPlaces,suchasbicycleracks,sidewalk

connectionsfromthestreettofrontdoorsandtreestoprovideshade.TheBoardofHealth

adoptedaResolutionofSupportforthecodeduetotheincreasedopportunitiesforsafeand

activetransportation.Sincepassageofthisnewcode,privatedevelopersvoluntarilyadopted43

percentoftherezoningrecommendationsforsubstantialactivetransportationelements,suchas

widersidewalks,enhancedcrosswalksandmorewalkingpaths.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

InanefforttoincorporateHIAsthroughoutthecitydecision-makingprocess,theprogram

establishedrelationshipswitheachCityofColumbusdivisionresponsibleforlanduse

developmentandtransportationdecisions.Checklistsweredevelopedfordecision-makersto

guidetheminincludinghealthconsiderations.Decisionpointsthatusedthechecklistsinclude

preliminarydesignreviewfornewdevelopmentsandsitesundergoingredevelopment,aswellas

initialreviewandprojectscopingfortransportationplanningprojects,suchassidewalks,bike

lanesandroads.Inthe2011pilotphase,65percentoftherecommendationsfromtheHIAprocess

werevoluntarilyacceptedbyprojectmanagers.

HealthyPlacesspecificallynotesneighborhoodswithsocioeconomicvulnerabilityintherezoning

andHIAprocessestofocusattentiononbuildinganequitablebuiltenvironment.HealthyPlaces

creditsitssuccesstobeingabletoparticipateinexistingcommunitydevelopmentprocesses,

establishinggoodrelationshipswithneighborhoodandcityagencyleadership,aswellasstaying

inregularcontactwithpeopleateachagencytoproactivelyaddressconcerns.Finally,theroleofanurbanplannerasthekeyliaisonbetweenpublichealthandplanningandassomeone

fluentinbothcultureswasoneofthemostcriticalelementstoColumbussuccess.


16/26

16

How the Safe Routes to SchoolProgram Engaged Public Healthin Active Transportation in

Houghton, MichiganTheschoolhasbeenthecenterofsmalltownsandcitiesfordecades,

andSafeRoutestoSchoolprogrammingandtravelplanningareoften

catalystsforinvolvingpublichealthprofessionalsinschoolsitingand

activetransportationissues.

BuildingonitsinvolvementinprogramssuchasHealthyKids,

HealthyCommunities,theWesternUpperPeninsulaHealthDepartment,whichservesHoughton,

Michigan,becameachampionofactivetransportationpoliciesandprogramsin2010andhas

madequickprogressinseveralareas.Houghton,acityof8,000residentslocatednearLake

Superior,facesmanychallengesandbarrierstoprioritizingactivecommunitydesign,includinga

long-stagnanteconomy,extremelyhillyterrainandlongwinters.Butwiththerightresources,committedsupportersandpublicengagement,Houghtonis

nowhometosupportiveactivetransportationpoliciesandprograms.RaySharp,managerof

communityhealthandpreparednesswiththeWesternUpperPeninsulaHealthDepartment,

beganworkingwithanexisting,volunteer-basedBikeTaskForceandthelocalplanning

commissiontoadoptabicycleparkingordinance.Theresultwasanewprovisioninthezoning

codetorequireadequateparkingfacilitiesforbicycles,withspecificationsbasedonthesizeof

thebusinessorapartmentbuilding.

Next,thehealthdepartmentworkedwiththeBikeTaskForceandothercitydepartmentsto

completetheLeagueofAmericanBicyclistsBicycleFriendlyCommunitySurvey,whichledto

encouragingthecitytopassaBicycleFriendlyCityresolution.Afewmonthslater,Houghtonwasawardedabronze-levelBicycleFriendlyCommunitydesignation.Asthesecollaborationsgained

momentum,Sharpsecuredtrainingresourcesandamatchinggrantfromthestatedepartmentof

healthtoworkwithHoughtonofficialstopromoteaCompleteStreetspolicy.

CompleteStreetstrainingstookplaceinSeptember2010andbyDecemberofthatyear,public

hearingshadtakenplace,thepolicyhadbeenbroughtbeforecitycouncilofficials,anda

comprehensiveCompleteStreetsordinancewasapproved.ThemovemadeHoughtonthesixth

MichigancityandthefirstintheUpperPeninsularegiontoadoptsuchapolicy.Inaddition

toitsCompleteStreetswork,thepublichealthdepartmentisactivelyinvolvedinSafeRoutes

toSchooltravelplanning.Atarecentmeetingoflocalhealth,safetyandeducationofficials,

includingteachers,studentsandparents,participantsbeganprioritizingsaferoutestoschool.

Attendeesidentifiedthreeintersectionsinneedofbettercrosswalks,establishedaplanforadoptingtheupgradesintothecitysBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlan,andthecitymanager

pledgedtofindfunding.



InHoughton,havingpublichealthatthetablewaskey.Ithelpedcommunitymembersandcity

officialsunderstandthatcommunitydesignsthatsupportsafeandactivetransportationarenot

onlygoodforresidentshealth,theycanhelpcurblong-termhealthspendingaswell.According

toSharp,theexperiencetaughthimhowtopivotfromhealthandsafetytodiscussionsoftourism,economicdevelopment,jobcreationandincreasedpropertyvalues.Inotherwords,

Sharpisaperfectexampleofapublichealthpractitionerwhosuccessfullyemployedthe

languageoftransportationtoengagedecision-makersandmakeadifference.Allpolicywork

islocal,Sharpsaid.Andbecauseourpondissmall,wecanaccomplishalotinaone-hour

meeting.


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1818

Activetransportationsuccessstoriesareoftenbuiltonrelationships

thattookaconsiderableamountoftimeandefforttocultivate.Like

anynewrelationship,publichealthpractitionersandtransportation

plannersshouldfirsttakethetimetolearneachotherslanguages,values

andgoalsitsaneffortthatundoubtedlycreatesmoremeaningfulcollaborationsandsustainedpositiveoutcomes.Forexample,when

theurbanplannerleadingtheColumbus(Ohio)HealthyPlacesProgram

shiftedfromfocusingonthebenefitsoftheprogramforwalkingand

bicyclingtothebenefitsofreducingvehiclemilestraveled,newlinesof

communicationopenedupwithtransportationofficials.

Key Communications Strategies forOpening New Avenues of Dialogue

Belowareafewhighlightsfromthecomprehensivecommunications

toolkit,PublicHealthTalksTransportation,whichwasdevelopedbytheAmericanPublicHealthAssociation;alinktotalkingpointsandkey

messagescanbefoundinthe Resources section.

CommunicationStrategies to BuildRelationships

Meet Them Where They Are.Transportationdecision-makersneedtounderstandthatthepublichealth

communityrecognizestheday-to-daychallengestheyface.Rightorwrong,thefocusofmosttransportation

agenciesisoverwhelminglyonkeepingcarsmoving.Acknowledgingthisrealityisimportantandthefactisthat

manyofthesameoptionsthatimprovepublichealthcuttrafficcongestionandkeeproadssafeandingoodshape.

Talk in Terms They Understand. Thetransportationdecision-makingprocessisdrivenbymoney,doingalotwith

alittleonever-shrinkingbudgets.Wherepossible,theeconomiccomponentofpublichealthbenefitsshouldbe

partofourcommunication.

Become An Expert Transportation Planners Can Rely Upon. Byprovidingdata,expertiseandthebest

informationabouthowdecisionscanincreaseopportunitiesforphysicalactivity,improveroadsafety, reduce

airpollutionandmore,youcanoftensupporttransportationplannersanddecision-makers.Bypresentingthese

argumentsinacontextthatvalidatesthecoreconcernsoftransportationdecision-makers,youarefarmorelikelyto

beheard.


19/26C o m m u n i c a t i o n S t r a t e g i e s t o B u i l d R e l a t i o n s h i p s / C o n c l u s i o n

Creatinghealthycommunitiesandagoodqualityoflifefor

peopleisacentraltenetofpublichealthwork.Promoting

healthintransportationisanupstreampublichealth

interventionandcanbenefithealth,theenvironmentand

theeconomyinmanyways.Whobettertopromotehealth

intransportationplanninganddecision-makingthanpublic

healthpractitioners?

Publichealthpractitionersacrossthecountryareleading

thewayinpromotinghealthintransportationandplanning.

Althoughprogresshasbeenmadeandsuccesshasbeenachievedinseveralcommunities,suchworkisjustbeginningorisnothappeningatallinmany

othercommunities.Andwiththerecentpassageofafederaltransportationbillthatde-invests

inhealth-promotingtransportationprograms,therolethatpublichealthpractitionerscanplay

ismoreimportantthanever.

Herearesuggestedwaysthatpublichealthpractitionerscanandhavemadeanimpact.Someof

theseideaswereprovidedinthesectionaboutthefederal,state,regionalandlocallevels,but

thebeststrategyistouseacombinationofthesemethodstopromotehealthintransportation.

Get Educated

Learnabouttheconnectionsbetweentransportationandhealthandtheevidencethat

exists.

Understandhowtransportationandplanningdecisionsaremade,particularlyinyourstate

andcommunity.

Learndetailsaboutupcominglarge-scaleplanningprocessesandspecificstreetdesign

improvementplansthatcouldandoftenshouldincludeactivetransportation

components.

Stay Informed

Keepabreastofwhatshappeninginyourcommunitywhenitcomestotransportationplanningandbeonthealertforopportunitiestoimprovehealth.

Beawareofanyspecificactivities,suchasthoseconnectedtofederalCommunity

TransformationGrants,thatmaybeopportunitiestopromoteactivetransportation.

Routinely identifyotherstakeholdersandengagewiththem.

Conclusion


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20

Build Relationships

Gettoknowandworkwithtransportationandlanduseplannersand

decision-makers.Filltheminonhowtheirworkcanhaveadirectimpactonthehealthandhealthequityofentirecommunities.

MeetwithyourMPOorRPOandbuildthoserelationships.

Invitetransportationprofessionalstospeakonpanelsoratmeetings

andworktogetinvitedtospeakattheirmeetings.

Jo in or Cr ea te th e Mo ve me nt

Joinoneofthemanytaskforcesandcoalitionsthatarefocusedonactivetransportation

acrossthecountry.

Start alocaltaskforceorcoalit ionifonedoesnotexist.

Supply the Data

Gatherandprovidedataontheimpactoftransportationonvulnerablepopulationsor

healthingeneral.

Createpowerful,evidence-basedargumentsforactivetransportation.

Encouragetheuseofhealthimpactassessments(HIAsareapowerfultooltoprovidedata

anddriveactivetransportationplanning;seetheResourcesection).

Provide Leadership

Recruitdoctors,nurses,publichealthprofessionalsandotherstakeholderstoparticipate

inthepublicreviewprocessesoflong-rangetransportationplansandothertransportation

projects.

Educatestakeholders,electedofficialsandregionalplanningcommissionmembersabout

theconnectionsbetweentransportationandhealthbeforetransportationprojectplansare

presentedtothepublic.

Hosttransportationandhealthworkshopsandinvitediverseaudiences,including

practitioners,media,electedofficialsandotherstakeholders.

Createstaffingpositionswithtransportationexpertiseforyourpublichealthprogram;and

viceversa,promoteadirectorofhealthycommunitiesinyourMPO.

Holdagenciesaccountableastheyimplementtransportationprojectsandplanstoensure

thathealthissuesareaddressedandthatrelevantdataarecollectedaftertheprojectis

implemented.

Nomatterwhereonthespectrumapublichealthpractitionersitswhethersteepedinthe

scienceandthesubjectmatteroftheseconnections,holdinganofficewiththeauthorityto

makefundingorplanningdecisions,orraisingawarenessofhowtransportationimpactshealth

thereisaroletoplay.Anyeffort,bigorsmall,willcontributeandmakeadifference.


21/26G l o s s a r y o f T e r m s

Complete Streets Streetsthatprovidesafe,

convenient,efficientandaccessibleusebypeopleofall

agesandabilities.

Environmental JusticeConceptfocusedon

identifyingandaddressing,asappropriate,

disproportionatelyhighandadversehumanhealth

orenvironmentaleffectsof...programs,policiesand

activitiesonminoritypopulationsandlow-income

population.6

Long-Range Transportation Plans (LRTP)

Amulti-yeartransportationplandevelopedbyatransportationagency

(normallythestateDOToranMPO)thatprovidesavision,improvementsand

goalsfortransportationnetworks.

Multimodal -Characterizedbymanydifferentmodesoftransportation,such

asautomobile,publictransit,walkingandbicycling.Referstotheuseofmore

thanonemodeoftransportationtoreachadestination.

Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Aplanningbodyforall

urbanizedareaswithapopulationmorethan50,000.Requiredbyfederal

legislationtoconductinclusivetransportationplanningprocesses.

Public Involvement Thefederallymandatedactivitybyatransportation

agencythatencouragesparticipationofthepublicintransportationplanning

andprogramming.

Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)Afederally

legislatedprogramdevelopedatthestatelevelthatcoversaperiodoffour

yearsandwillprovidecitizens,affectedpublicagencies,representatives

ofusersofpublictransportation,representativesofusersofpedestrian

walkwaysandbicycletransportationfacilities,representativesofthe

disabled,andotherinterestedpartieswithareasonableopportunityto

commentontheproposedprogram. 7IncludesalloftheTIPsfromdifferent

regionsinastate.

State Highway Safety Improvement Pro gram (HSIP)-Aprogram

showingastateshighwaysafetyimprovementprojects,activities,plansand

reportscarriedoutaspartoftheSTIP.Theaimoftheprogramistoreduce

fatalitiesandseriousinjuriesonpublicroadsthroughthedevelopmentand

implementationofStrategicHighwaySafetyPlans(SHSP).

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Aprogramthat

includesthelistofprojectsthatareslatedtoreceivefederallysupported

transportationfunds.

Glossary of Terms


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22

Reso u rces

Otherresourcesprovidemoredetailontransportation

planningandhealth:

APHAresources:

At The Intersection Of Public Health And

Transportation

The Hidden Health Costs Of Transportation

HIA Fact Sheet

Webinar Series

Communications Toolkit

CDC Transportation Recommendations

Dangerous By Design,areportfromTransportationfor

Americaonsolvingtheepidemicofpedestriandeaths

Great Corridors, Great Communities,aProject

forPublicSpacesreportonplanningforcorridorsin

communities

Integrating public health and transportation

planning: Perspectives for MPOs and COGs,

apublicationoftheNationalAssociationofRegional

Councils

Introduction to Complete Streets,awebsiteandpresentationfromtheNationalCompleteStreetsCoalition

PLACE Program (Policies for Livable, Active

Communities and Environments),awebsitefromthe

LosAngelesCountyDepartmentofPublicHealth

The Transportation Planning Process: Key Issues,

abriefingbookfromtheFederalHighwayAdministration
http://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/B1BEE3ED-9B7A-4CC3-9461-B1D7895A4E25/0/AttheIntersectionNewCover.pdfhttp://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/B1BEE3ED-9B7A-4CC3-9461-B1D7895A4E25/0/AttheIntersectionNewCover.pdfhttp://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/B96B32A2-FA00-4D79-99AB-F0446C63B254/0/TheHiddenHealthCostsofTransportationBackgrounder.pdfhttp://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/1CD24FFB-37FB-4576-86A1-6D68A1C5DBAF/0/APHAHIAFactsheetJan2011.pdfhttp://www.apha.org/advocacy/priorities/issues/transportation/Webinars.htmhttp://www.apha.org/advocacy/priorities/issues/transportation/Toolkit.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/transportation/http://t4america.org/docs/dbd2011/Dangerous-by-Design-2011.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Great_Corridors_Great_Communities.pdfhttp://narc.org/wp-content/uploads/Public-Health-and-Transportation-Info-0606121.pdfhttp://narc.org/wp-content/uploads/Public-Health-and-Transportation-Info-0606121.pdfhttp://www.completestreets.org/complete-streets-fundamentals/http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/place/http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/place/http://www.planning.dot.gov/documents/briefingbook/bbook.htmhttp://www.planning.dot.gov/documents/briefingbook/bbook.htmhttp://publichealth.lacounty.gov/place/http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/place/http://www.completestreets.org/complete-streets-fundamentals/http://narc.org/wp-content/uploads/Public-Health-and-Transportation-Info-0606121.pdfhttp://narc.org/wp-content/uploads/Public-Health-and-Transportation-Info-0606121.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Great_Corridors_Great_Communities.pdfhttp://t4america.org/docs/dbd2011/Dangerous-by-Design-2011.pdfhttp://www.cdc.gov/transportation/http://www.apha.org/advocacy/priorities/issues/transportation/Toolkit.htmhttp://www.apha.org/advocacy/priorities/issues/transportation/Webinars.htmhttp://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/1CD24FFB-37FB-4576-86A1-6D68A1C5DBAF/0/APHAHIAFactsheetJan2011.pdfhttp://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/B96B32A2-FA00-4D79-99AB-F0446C63B254/0/TheHiddenHealthCostsofTransportationBackgrounder.pdfhttp://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/B1BEE3ED-9B7A-4CC3-9461-B1D7895A4E25/0/AttheIntersectionNewCover.pdfhttp://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/B1BEE3ED-9B7A-4CC3-9461-B1D7895A4E25/0/AttheIntersectionNewCover.pdf


23/26R e s o u r c e s / R e f e r e n c e s

1 www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/environmental-policy/streetscale.html

2 www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/ntpp/2012_report/page01.cfm

3 www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/public_involvement/

4 TheU.S.DepartmentofTransportationsFederalHighwayAdministrationhostsasearchable

databaseofMPOsthroughoutthecountry: http://www.planning.dot.gov/mpo.asp

5 Zheng,Y.2008.Thebenefitofpublictransportation:physicalactivitytoreduceobesityand

ecologicalfootprint.PreventiveMedicine;46(1):4-5.

6 www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/environmental_justice

7 thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:h.r.4348.enr:

References
http://www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/environmental-policy/streetscale.htmlhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/ntpp/2012_report/page01.cfmhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/public_involvement/http://www.planning.dot.gov/mpo.asphttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/environmental_justicehttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/environmental_justicehttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:h.r.4348.enr:http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:h.r.4348.enr:http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/environmental_justicehttp://www.planning.dot.gov/mpo.asphttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/public_involvement/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/ntpp/2012_report/page01.cfmhttp://www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/environmental-policy/streetscale.html


24/26

24

TheAmericanPublicHealthAssociationistheoldestandmostdiverse

organizationofpublichealthprofessionalsintheworldandhasbeen

workingtoimprovepublichealthsince1872.TheSafeRoutesto

SchoolNationalPartnershipisafastgrowingnetworkofmorethan

600organizationsandprofessionalgroupsworkingtosetgoals,share

bestpractices,leverageinfrastructureandprogramfunding,and

advancepolicychangetohelpagenciesthatimplementSafeRoutes

toSchoolprogramsacrossthenation.

Thesetwoorganizationshavepartneredtoproducethispublication

asacompilationofinformation,resourcesanddetailedexamplestoassistpublichealthprofessionalsinbecomingchampionsof

transportationplanningandfundingprocessesthatsupporthealthy

communities.

Thispublicationwasmadepossiblebygrantnumber5U38HM000459-04

fromtheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionthroughfunding

fromtheHealthyCommunityDesignInitiativewithintheNational

CenterforEnvironmentalHealth.Formoreinformation,goto:www.

cdc.gov/healthyplaces. Fundingwasadministeredthroughacontract

withtheAmericanPublicHealthAssociation.Itscontentsaresolelythe

responsibilityoftheauthorsanddonotnecessarilyrepresenttheofficial

viewsoftheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention.

TheAmericanPublicHealthAssociationhasbeenworkingtomake

theconnectionbetweentransportationandhealthinthenational

policyarenaaswellastoprovideresourcesandinformationtopublic

healthpractitioners.Formoreinformation,goto: www.apha.org/

transportation . TheSafeRoutestoSchoolNationalPartnership

promotesactivetransportationoptionsforchildrenandfamiliesgoingto

andfromschoolandindailylife.Theyhavemadegreatstridesingetting

SafeRoutestoSchoolinmorethan12,000schoolsandcommunities

inall50statesacrossthecountry.Formoreinformation,goto:www.

saferoutespartnership.org .

Acknowledgements
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaceshttp://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaceshttp://www.apha.org/transportationhttp://www.apha.org/transportationhttp://www.saferoutespartnership.org/http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/http://www.apha.org/transportationhttp://www.apha.org/transportationhttp://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaceshttp://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces


25/26A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s


26/26

Documents

Promoting Active Transportation