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Ambient Air Conditions and Variation in Urban Trail Use

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Abstract

This study examines the effect of air quality and administrative policies on use of urban trails in Indianapolis, IN. Attention is focused on two policy variables: (1) issuance of air pollution advisories and (2) the adoption of Daylight Savings Time. Results suggest that while trail use varies with air quality, current public advisories regarding air pollution may be of limited effectiveness in reducing trail users’ exposures to hazardous pollutants. In contrast, the adoption of Daylight Savings Time was associated with a statistically significant increase in traffic levels.

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Acknowledgement

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Active Living Research Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Greenways Division of the Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation provided additional technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Health Policy, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Ann M. Holmes

  2. Center for Urban Policy and the Environment, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, USA

    Greg Lindsey & Chenchen Qiu

  3. Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Greg Lindsey

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  1. Ann M. Holmes
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  2. Greg Lindsey
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  3. Chenchen Qiu
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Correspondence to Ann M. Holmes.

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Holmes, A.M., Lindsey, G. & Qiu, C. Ambient Air Conditions and Variation in Urban Trail Use. J Urban Health 86, 839–849 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-009-9398-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-009-9398-8

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