The impact of green space exposure on satisfaction with active travel trips

• Published in: Transportation research. Part D, Transport and environment Transport and environment, 2021-10, Vol.99, p.103022, Article 103022
• Main Authors: Ta, Na, Li, Hong, Chai, Yanwei, Wu, Jiayu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: China; Street greenery; Subjective well-being; Travel behaviour; Walking
• ISSN: 1361-9209; 1879-2340
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2021.103022

•Global positioning system trajectories and street view images are used.•Significant variations in street-level green space exposure among travel trips.•Green space exposure contributes to individual’s active travel satisfaction.•Green space exposure has a significant impact with walking, nonwork trips and trips of medium duration. Understanding how street-level green space exposure influences active travel satisfaction is essential for improving physical activity and subjective well-being. Using global positioning system trajectories and street view images collected in Beijing, this study investigates how green space exposure along travel routes influences active travel satisfaction while controlling for travel characteristics and socio-economic attributes. The results show significant variations in street-level green space exposure among travel trips. Individuals’ contact with green space during travel positively contributes to their travel satisfaction. The effect of green space exposure on travel satisfaction varies by travel mode, duration and purpose. Green space exposure has a significant impact on satisfaction with walking, nonwork trips and trips of medium duration. This evidence has implications for urban greening investment, suggesting that greater attention be paid to small-scale green space along road networks to improve citizens’ well-being through active travel.