A major focus of this project is developing and testing the Path Environment Audit Tool (PEAT), which will be used to assess features of trail paths and other linear recreation areas used for walking, running, or bicycling. PEAT is set up on a Tablet PC running the Access database program so researchers in the field can collect information about the design, amenities, and aesthetic features of trails. The tool asks observers to assess elements ranging from the condition of a trail surface to the presence and condition of restrooms. Information from PEAT will be combined with other data the team collected with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create a comprehensive database of trial and local neighborhood characteristics. PEAT is being used at 6 different sites in Massachusetts including linear parks, rail-trails, and walking paths in parks. An interdisciplinary team that involves researchers from landscape architecture, geography, public health, and parks and recreation are evaluating the reliability of PEAT, and are assessing the advantages and limitation of the different data collection methods. The work should provide future researchers with proven methodologies to evaluate what makes a path encourage physical activity.
