Combining “Ride-alongs” and wearable sensors: Exploring perceived exposure, on-site experiences and health perceptions while walking/cycling

Kurzfassung

Active mobility is considered as specifically beneficial for health, wellbeing and quality of life of urban dwellers. Moreover, cycling and walking is pollution-free, noise-abating and space-saving and important for climate change mitigation. However, cycling and walking alongside urban traffic poses the risk of air pollution and noise exposure, two of the leading environmental risk factors for health of people in urban areas. Especially particulate matter (PM) and high noise levels, which are common alongside road-traffic, impact physical and mental health as well as people’s wellbeing profoundly. Traditionally, exposure research is based on objective stationary measurements or model simulations, giving evidence for its danger on people’s physical health en-route. However, not only the measured exposure has an impact on people’s health and wellbeing. Recently, the subjective experience of exposure is increasingly considered and typically assessed by questionnaires. The momentary perception of air pollution, noise or other environmental stimuli on-the-move have rarely been assessed. This study addresses this research gap by exploring the borderlands of personal exposure and active travel research. We extended the dimension of personal exposure by investigating exposure perceptions, travel experiences and health perceptions during cycling and walking and complement them by measured air pollution and noise data on-the-move. The aim is to understand how to reduce health risks and improve wellbeing of cyclists/pedestrians in urban areas. In this study a novel mixed-methods approach was applied. (1) Go-/Ride-Alongs with 28 participants in Berlin, Germany, were conducted. During the Go-/Ride-Alongs the interviewer accompanied the participant by bicycle or on foot on their familiar commuting route home from work. Meanwhile, a semi-structured questionnaire was applied, asking about participants’ experiences, practices and perceptions on-site. Based on ethnography and practical theory, interacting with or ‘following’ a person en-route provides an understanding of how and why a person perceives, acts in and navigates through his/her environment. Simultaneously, (2) noise (dB(A)), GPS and air pollution (PM 0.5-2.5µm/ft³) were measured with wearable sensors to investigate the objectively measured exposure. Using qualitative GIS approaches, spatial data on objectively measured and subjectively perceived exposure were complemented and offer comprehensive insights into cyclists’/pedestrians’ mobility situation. The results revealed the importance of smaller side roads or “hidden paths” to avoid exposure, practices to decrease exposure impacts (e.g. hold breath or avoid unpleasant areas) and emotions (e.g. anger, resignation, irritation) articulated when experiencing urban stressors. Sensory awareness of the environmental situation, e.g. seeing/smelling greenery or water, aesthetics, interesting sites or other people along the route, are important in shaping how exposure is perceived and how wellbeing en-route is enhanced. For addressing the complex interrelation of active mobility, wellbeing and health, urban stressors and their momentary impact on urban dwellers’ health perceptions, practices and mobility experiences should receive greater attention in urban and transport planning.