Associations of walkability, regional and transit accessibility around home and workplace with active and sedentary travel

Few studies have simultaneously examined whether the neighborhood built environment near work is independently associated with active versus sedentary travel. We investigate the associations of objectively assessed built environment and regional/transit accessibility around home and work locations with active (walking, biking) and sedentary (auto-use) transportation while controlling for attitudinal predispositions, perceptions, and demographic factors. Baseline data from 2012 to 2013 on a sample of 648 participants in the Rails & Health study based in Portland, Oregon were analyzed. Data about active and sedentary travel outcomes, attitudes, perceptions, and demographics were derived from a survey. Road network buffers (with a 1 km range) around each of the home and work locations were used to create detailed measures of walkability, natural environment, regional and transit accessibility. Log-linear and log-linear Tobit regression models tested associations of home and worksite neighborhood features with weekly amount of walking, biking, and auto use. Significant differences in walkability, regional accessibility, and natural environment between home and workplaces were observed. Independent of walkability around home, a one-unit increase in walkability index around work was correlated with a 2.8% [90% CI: 0.5% - 4.9%] and 2.7% [90% CI: 0.5% - 4.8%] higher weekly duration of biking and walking, respectively. Greater walkability around workplace was associated with lower time spent in automobiles. Greater regional and transit accessibility around work was correlated with higher walking/biking and lower automobile travel. The study highlights the important role of more walkable, connected, denser, and diverse workplace environments in enhancing public health.