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      • Pedestrian Infrastructure
      • Traffic Calming
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      • Parking Availability and Pricing
      • Road User Pricing
      • Voluntary Travel Behavior Change Programs
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      • Local Accessibility
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Goals > Physical Activity

Physical Activity

Picture
Photo: pedbikeimages.org
Being physically active is one of the most important things people can do to improve and maintain their health. Regular physical activity benefits everyone, no matter their age, gender, ethnicity or ability. Half of all Americans have one or more preventable chronic diseases, most of which can be influenced by physical activity (CDC, 2018). 

Physical activity can be undertaken throughout the day, not just in dedicated time slots. Incorporating physical activity as part of daily life is recommended as a strategy to meet physical activity guidelines (US DHHS, 2015).

Proven Strategies

  • Local Accessibility (Local Access to Destinations)
  • Active Travel to School
  • Bicycle Infrastructure
  • Residential Density
  • Land Use Mix 
  • Pedestrian Infrastrucure
  • Street Network Connectivity
  • Traffic Calming
  • Transit Access
  • ​Transit Service

Equity and Inclusion

Not everyone has equal opportunity to incorporate physical activity on a regular basis. Disparities in physical inactivity exist across racial and ethnic groups, geographic location, and socioeconomic status. The existence of these disparities can be traced in large part to decisions made by by federal, state, and local governments, including transportation and land use planners, that have resulted in inequitable access to community environments that support health (Bullard, 2003).

Implementation Guidance

Guides & Reports
A practitioner's guide for advancing health equity: Community strategies for preventing chronic disease​​

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2013​
Steps to a walkable community: A guide for citizens, planners, and engineers

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Sam Schwartz Engineering & America Walks, 2012
Fact Sheets & Infographics
Physical activity prevents chronic disease 



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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2020
Model Policy & Code
The best Complete Streets policies of 2018
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Smart Growth America & National Complete Streets Coalition, 2019​​​
Tools
Integrated Transport and Health Impact Model (ITHIM) USA


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Maizlish, Jiang & Weiher, 2020
Building healthy corridors: Transforming urban and suburban arterials into thriving places



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Urban Land Institute, 2016
A guide to building healthy streets


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ChangeLab Solutions, 2016​​​
Increasing physical activity among adults with disabilities 


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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), n.d.
Physical activity guidelines for Americans




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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2018
Health promoting community design: Outline of expected returns

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Tennessee Department of Health, n.d.
Active transportation - Making connections




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Federal Highway Administration, n.d.
Envisioning healthy corridors: Lessons from four communities



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Urban Land Institute, 2019
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  • Home
  • Goals
    • Physical Activity
    • Bicycling
    • Walking
    • Equity and Inclusion
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    • Vehicle Miles Traveled
  • Strategies
    • Transportation Infrastructure >
      • Bicycle Infrastructure
      • Pedestrian Infrastructure
      • Traffic Calming
    • Transportation Demand Management >
      • Active Travel to School
      • Employer-Based Trip Reduction Programs
      • Parking Availability and Pricing
      • Road User Pricing
      • Voluntary Travel Behavior Change Programs
    • Land Use Strategies >
      • Local Accessibility
      • Regional Accessibility
      • Residential Density
      • Land Use Mix
      • Street Network Connectivity
    • Public Transit >
      • Transit Access
      • Transit Service
    • Engagement >
      • Community Engagement
  • Emerging issues
  • Approach
  • About
  • Support Us
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • News