If Health Matters

This report investigates various ways that transportation planning decisions affect public health, and how planning practices can better incorporate public health objectives. Conventional planning tends to consider some public health impacts, particularly traffic accident risks and pollution emissions measured per vehicle-kilometer, but generally ignores the additional accidents and pollution emissions caused by increased vehicle mileage, and health problems resulting from less active transport (reduced walking and cycling activity). This tends to undervalue strategies that reduce total vehicle travel and increase transport system diversity. This study identifies various “win-win” strategies that help improve public health and achieve other planning objectives.