Integrating more walking into public transit commuting: a proof-of-concept study

Background: Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining and improving overall health, yet many individuals struggle to incorporate it into their daily lives. Previous studies, primarily based on simulations, have suggested that mode shifts in public transportation (PT) can increase walking, enabling PT commuters to meet some physical activity goals while traveling. However, current trip planning apps used by PT commuters do not prioritize walking as part of the journey. This proof-of-concept study investigates the potential for integrating more walking into commutes using PT, without compromising travel time, accessibility, or level of service. It represents the first phase of the “More Walking” population-based wellness initiative, which aims to enhance walking opportunities by modifying trip planning apps. Methods: We examined the impact of different walking thresholds on walking distance using a trip-planning algorithm using the home addresses of 2,149 commuters traveling to the same workplace in a Tel Aviv suburb. Results: Our findings reveal that increasing walking thresholds either maintained or reduced total travel time. Conclusions: Our results suggest that introducing a “more walking” option in trip planning could be a feasible way of incorporating physical activity and wellness as part of daily commutes.