Demographic Factors and Workplace Factors to Active Transportation Use in the United States:a Secondary Analysis of 2009 Nhts Data
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Active transportation is defined by any transportation modality that requires human energy to perform. While the benefits of participating in active transportation are known, and are similar to that of regular exercise, participation rates within the United States are still very low. PURPOSE: To examine the relationships of demographic and workplace factors with active transportation use and active commuting within a United States population-based sample. METHODS: The 2009 National Household Travel Survey data was used to examine 6 demographic factors (age, gender, family income, education level, race, and household geographic location) as well as 5 workplace factors (time to work, distance to work, flextime availability, option to work from home, and work start time). The demographic factors were examined across active transportation use (walking, biking, or either) and active commuting (walking, biking, or either). The workplace factors were examined across active commuters (walking, biking, or either). Unadjusted frequencies, adjusted odds ratios, and adjusted prevalences were found for each factor. RESULTS: Increased odds of active commuting were seen in those with lower age, who were males, with lower income, who lived in an urban area, and who were more highly educated. Increased odds of active transportation use were seen in those who were of lower age, had lower income, were urban dwellers, had higher education, were male bikers, and were female walkers. Odds of active commuting were increased with the availability of a flexible schedule, the option to work from home, a shorter time to work, a smaller distance to work, and a work arrival time between 11AM – 4PM. CONCLUSION: Mostly expected demographic factor relationships were found after adjustment for the other demographic factors. All workplace factors were found to be significantly related to active commuting behavior. These relationships should be considered and leveraged in governmental policy decisions, health promotion programming, workplace wellness programming, and workplace policy to possibly increase active transportation use within the United States.
Author: Tyler D. Quinn
Language: English
Subfield: Transportation
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2211754249