Abstract
Collaboration between physical activity (PA) researchers and transport planners is a recommended strategy to combat the physical inactivity epidemic. Data collected by PA researchers could be used to identify, implement and evaluate active transport (AT) projects. However, despite aligned interests, researchers and transport planners rarely collaborate. This study utilized qualitative methods to 1) gain an in-depth understanding of the data utilized in AT planning, 2) explore the utility of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and accelerometer data in supporting the planning process, 3) identify the benefits and barriers of researcher and transport agency collaboration, and 4) identify the facilitators to collaboration for these groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 transport modeling, planning or engineering professionals, transport agency directors, and academics with relevant expertise in health or transport planning. A thematic analysis was conducted following structural coding by two researchers. The analysis revealed that geographic and physical activity data that are current, local, objective and specific to individual AT trips would improve upon currently available data sources. Informants believed that research collaboration could increase capacity by providing unbiased data and access to students to assist with targeted research. Collaboration could also increase the relevance of academic research in applied settings. Identified barriers included: setting up contracts, lack of policy and planning mandates that include health, a disconnect between research interests and agency needs, and competing priorities. Researchers may need to initiate discussions with AT practitioners until health is formally included in the planning process as the first step in understanding data needs and identifying mutual research interests. However, regulations that link health and physical activity metrics to funding, as well as training programs that incorporate public health and transport planning, are needed to encourage cross collaboration.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Transport & Health |
| Volume | 8 |
| Pages (from-to) | 157-168 |
| ISSN | 2214-1405 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1. Mar 2018 |
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Keywords
- Public health
- Active transport
- Physical activity
- Research translation
- Evidence-based practice
Cite this
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Collaboration between physical activity researchers and transport planners : A qualitative study of attitudes to data driven approaches. / Crist, Katie; Bolling, Khalisa; Schipperijn, Jasper; Hurst, Samantha; Takemoto, Michelle; Sallis, James F.; Badland, Hannah; Kerr, Jacqueline.
In: Journal of Transport & Health, Vol. 8, 01.03.2018, p. 157-168.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Collaboration between physical activity researchers and transport planners
T2 - A qualitative study of attitudes to data driven approaches
AU - Crist, Katie
AU - Bolling, Khalisa
AU - Schipperijn, Jasper
AU - Hurst, Samantha
AU - Takemoto, Michelle
AU - Sallis, James F.
AU - Badland, Hannah
AU - Kerr, Jacqueline
PY - 2018/3/1
Y1 - 2018/3/1
N2 - Collaboration between physical activity (PA) researchers and transport planners is a recommended strategy to combat the physical inactivity epidemic. Data collected by PA researchers could be used to identify, implement and evaluate active transport (AT) projects. However, despite aligned interests, researchers and transport planners rarely collaborate. This study utilized qualitative methods to 1) gain an in-depth understanding of the data utilized in AT planning, 2) explore the utility of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and accelerometer data in supporting the planning process, 3) identify the benefits and barriers of researcher and transport agency collaboration, and 4) identify the facilitators to collaboration for these groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 transport modeling, planning or engineering professionals, transport agency directors, and academics with relevant expertise in health or transport planning. A thematic analysis was conducted following structural coding by two researchers. The analysis revealed that geographic and physical activity data that are current, local, objective and specific to individual AT trips would improve upon currently available data sources. Informants believed that research collaboration could increase capacity by providing unbiased data and access to students to assist with targeted research. Collaboration could also increase the relevance of academic research in applied settings. Identified barriers included: setting up contracts, lack of policy and planning mandates that include health, a disconnect between research interests and agency needs, and competing priorities. Researchers may need to initiate discussions with AT practitioners until health is formally included in the planning process as the first step in understanding data needs and identifying mutual research interests. However, regulations that link health and physical activity metrics to funding, as well as training programs that incorporate public health and transport planning, are needed to encourage cross collaboration.
AB - Collaboration between physical activity (PA) researchers and transport planners is a recommended strategy to combat the physical inactivity epidemic. Data collected by PA researchers could be used to identify, implement and evaluate active transport (AT) projects. However, despite aligned interests, researchers and transport planners rarely collaborate. This study utilized qualitative methods to 1) gain an in-depth understanding of the data utilized in AT planning, 2) explore the utility of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and accelerometer data in supporting the planning process, 3) identify the benefits and barriers of researcher and transport agency collaboration, and 4) identify the facilitators to collaboration for these groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 transport modeling, planning or engineering professionals, transport agency directors, and academics with relevant expertise in health or transport planning. A thematic analysis was conducted following structural coding by two researchers. The analysis revealed that geographic and physical activity data that are current, local, objective and specific to individual AT trips would improve upon currently available data sources. Informants believed that research collaboration could increase capacity by providing unbiased data and access to students to assist with targeted research. Collaboration could also increase the relevance of academic research in applied settings. Identified barriers included: setting up contracts, lack of policy and planning mandates that include health, a disconnect between research interests and agency needs, and competing priorities. Researchers may need to initiate discussions with AT practitioners until health is formally included in the planning process as the first step in understanding data needs and identifying mutual research interests. However, regulations that link health and physical activity metrics to funding, as well as training programs that incorporate public health and transport planning, are needed to encourage cross collaboration.
KW - Public health
KW - Active transport
KW - Physical activity
KW - Research translation
KW - Evidence-based practice
U2 - 10.1016/j.jth.2017.11.142
DO - 10.1016/j.jth.2017.11.142
M3 - Journal article
VL - 8
SP - 157
EP - 168
JO - Journal of Transport & Health
JF - Journal of Transport & Health
SN - 2214-1405
ER -