Development and application of a framework for analyzing the impacts of urban transportation

Date

2004-10

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

EcoHealth Journal Consortium

Abstract

To adequately analyze the impacts associated with the rising use of automobiles, an assessment framework is needed that includes environment, health, economic, and sociocultural impacts. Such a framework was developed and applied to a proposed freeway-widening project in Edmonton, Canada. The assessment framework was developed using both Multi-Criteria Analysis and the Ecosystem Approach to Human Health (Ecohealth). Community participation was vital in the application of the assessment framework to this case study. Six stakeholder groups, including community members, City Councillors, and health, environment, and transportation experts, provided needed qualitative data for the assessment framework. Quantitative data were gathered from an ecological study design that associated traffic volumes with respiratory conditions in Edmonton. Community members’ perceptions about the impacts of the freeway widening differed from those of the expert groups in a number of areas. Environmental and health degradation was more of an issue to community members than to expert groups. Though respiratory conditions were not projected to increase by a significant amount because of the freeway widening, further analysis is necessary on other biophysical and socioeconomic impacts listed in the assessment framework. The divergence in opinion between community members and experts suggests that more communication is needed between these groups in relation to transportation planning. The Ecohealth approach ensures that community concerns are addressed in transportation planning.

Description

Keywords

TRANSPORTATION, ENVIRONMENT, AUTOMOBILES, HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY, POLICY, CANADA, AIR POLLUTION, URBAN TRANSPORT, CANADA--EDMONTON, URBAN PLANNING

Citation

Marko, Josh, Soskolne, Colin L., Church, John, Francescutti, Louis H., & Anielski, Mark (2004). Development and Application of a Framework for Analyzing the Impacts of Urban Transportation. EcoHealth, 1, 374-386. doi:10.1007/s10393-004-0045-2

DOI