Introduction
Light rail transit (LRT) systems are expected to reduce car use and promote physical activity, particularly walking, addressing the issue of physical inactivity in regional cities. However, there is a research gap regarding the magnitude and spatial extent of the impact of a newly introduced LRT on residents' walking behavior, especially those evaluated using a natural experimental design and objective data. This study evaluated the LRT's impact on step counts as a key indicator of physical activity in a Japanese regional city that introduced a new LRT to realize a “network-based compact city."
Methods
Smartphone-based data were collected before and after the LRT's introduction from 397 participants aged 18 to 65 residing within 2 km of 18 LRT stations. We examined the threshold distances from stations at which changes in step counts were statistically significant using generalized linear mixed models, varying thresholds by 50 m increments.
Results
On weekdays, the threshold was found to be 550 m, participants living within this distance from a station showing a 1.15-fold increase in their step counts compared with the situation without the LRT, equivalent to 826 additional steps for the average participant. On holidays, the threshold was 650 m, with a 1.12-fold increase in step counts.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that increased step counts may result not only from LRT use but also from walking to essential services that have increased around the LRT. These findings offer insights for regional cities undergoing similar infrastructure development, contributing to achieving healthy and sustainable cities.
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