Shared-use urban trails seem an obvious place for people to get physical activity, particularly near home. But what is it about the trails that encourage such activity? The Researchers from the University of Southern California has selected 3 trails for intensive study: the Chicago Lakefront Pathway, the Dallas White Rock Ramble, and the Los Angeles River trail. The researchers will conduct a GIS analysis and note the characteristics of the trail and surrounding neighborhood in half-mile increments. For each of the 3 trails, 30 trail segments will be chosen for a count of trail users. In addition, approximately 500 adults equally across trail sites from the surrounding neighborhoods will be asked to wear an accelerometer for 7 days and fill out a survey on physical activity, trail use, perceived trail characteristics, and demographics. The researchers will use the data to analyze what trail characteristics are related to greater trail use, and whether the trail influences the physical activity levels of nearby residents.
