Influence of neighborhood walkability on older adults’ walking trips: Does income matter?

Abstract

This study examines the links between neighborhood walkability, household income, and older adults’ walking trips. This study mainly utilizes the detailed individual-level data from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey-California Add-on (2017 NHTS-CA). To understand neighborhood walkability and its effects on older adults’ walking trips, we first classify neighborhoods using K-means clustering algorithm based on neighborhood-built environment attributes and access to urban amenities. We then employ negative binomial regression models to analyze the determinants of older adults’ walking trips, with a focus on the effects of household income and neighborhood walkability. Key findings from our empirical analyses are as follows. First, older adults with physical disabilities tend to have fewer walk trips as compared to those without disabilities. Second, subjective health conditions are critical for older adults’ walking trips. Third, increasing household income decreases walking frequency. Fourth, after controlling for various other factors, older adults living in walkable neighborhoods have more frequent walking trips. Fifth, although an increase in household income leads to decreases in older adults’ walking trips, high neighborhood walkability moderates this effect and reduces the adverse effect on walking trip frequencies.