|
The health impact of light rail systems has both positive and negative effects. ==Reduction in obesity== Research shows that using light rail increases walking. Frank et al. (2004)〔Frank, L. D.; Andersen, M. A.; and Schmid, T.L. (2004). "Obesity relationships with community design, physical activity, and time spent in cars". ''American Journal of Preventative Medicine''. 27, 2, 87–96.〕 report that obesity around Atlanta, as measured by body mass index (BMI), is associated positively with time spent in cars and negatively with mixed land-use (such as incorporating Light Rail transit) and with walking. There is also research, which suggests that utilizing Light Rail transit increases physical activity, even compared to riding the bus. Users of public transit who do not use trains or light rail walk an additional six minutes compared with non-users, whereas those who use trains or light rail walk an additional 4.5 minutes, for a total of 10.5 extra minutes per day.〔Edwards, R. D. (2008). "Public transit, obesity, and medical costs: Assessing the magnitudes". ''Preventative Medicine'', 46, 14–21.〕 Additionally, MacDonald, et al. (2010)〔MacDonald, J. M., Stokes, R. J., Cohen, D. A., Kofner, A., and Ridgeway, G. K. (2010). "The effect of light rail transit on body mass index and physical activity". ''American Journal of Preventive Medicine'', 39(2), 105–112.〕 used data collected pre and post light rail development in Charlotte, North Carolina to determine that residents who commuted via light rail had 81% reduced odds of becoming obese. Moreover, bicycle access to light rail transit can increase physical activity, as people will generally bicycle three to five miles to transit, as opposed the one‐half mile distance the average person is willing to walk. Research also shows that less time spent driving results in a reduced stress level, resulting in a higher quality of life. Though there are significant potential public health benefits due to light rail, some studies have indicated the discrepancy between the enormous costs of building and operating light rail and its significant, but certainly smaller potential benefit to public health costs (estimated at $12.6 million savings over 9 years).〔Stokes, R. J.; MacDonald, J. and Ridgeway, G. (2008). "Estimating the effects of light rail transit on health care costs". ''Health & Place'', 14(1), 45–58.〕 As such costs and benefits are being weighed it is also essential to recognize the potentially negative health impacts, including injury hazards that accompany light rail. It is equally if not more important that such hazards be closely monitored and mitigated to ensure public health and safety. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Health impact of light rail systems」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|