摘要：We estimated the annual cost of bike and pedestrian trails in Lincoln, Neb, using construction and maintenance costs provided by the Department of Parks and Recreation of Nebraska. We obtained the number of users of 5 trails from a 1998 census report. The annual construction cost of each trail was calculated by using 3%, 5%, and 10% discount rates for a period of useful life of 10, 30, and 50 years. The average cost per mile and per user was calculated. Trail length averaged 3.6 miles (range = 1.6–4.6 miles). Annual cost in 2002 dollars ranged from $25 762 to $248 479 (mean = $124 927; median = $171 064). The cost per mile ranged from $5735 to $54 017 (mean = $35 355; median = $37 994). The annual cost per user was $235 (range = $83–$592), whereas per capita annual medical cost of inactivity was $622. Construction of trails fits a wide range of budgets and may be a viable health amenity for most communities. To increase trail cost-effectiveness, efforts to decrease cost and increase the number of users should be considered. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS affect the health of all people in both developed and developing countries. Because of industrialization and the consequent environmental pollution, environmental changes in the past several decades have led to new challenges for public health. Many studies have documented links between the environment and human health. 1– 7 For example, household amenities and other environmental exposures have been linked to children’s health problems such as cancer and asthma, 1– 3 and environmental pollution has been linked to high morbidity and mortality in the general population. 4– 7 In recent years, the worldwide increase of obesity has prompted discussions of environmental interventions such as increasing the availability of healthy snacks and building environments that are amenable to physical activity as possible effective means to prevent and control obesity and other costly chronic diseases. 8– 11 Because of suburbanization, the transportation systems in the United States have been designed for automobile use. Although automobile-oriented transportation is a necessity for economic development and people’s daily lives, the modern transportation system may pose a hazardous environment for public health. Recently, 42% of American adults expressed a great deal of concern about urban sprawl and loss of open space, 12 which can create an environment of physical inactivity, a major risk factor for several chronic diseases and obesity. 13– 25 One study has demonstrated the association between the built environment and physical activity by showing the effects of urban environment on walking behavior. 22 Another study showed that environmental features such as neighborhood design appeared to affect whether residents walked to work. 24 Pedestrian-oriented urban environments may promote physical activity, 22, 23 and a combination of urban design, land use patterns, and transportation systems that promote walking and bicycling may help create more livable communities. 26– 28 Lieberman recently suggested that proper design and land use patterns and policies can increase public transit use as well as walking and bicycling. 26 Efforts to increase the pedestrian-oriented environment through mixed-use development, street connectivity, and good community design can enhance both the feasibility and attractiveness of walking and bicycling. Participation in regular physical activity depends in part on the availability and proximity to such resources as community recreation facilities and walking and bicycling trails, so building such environments holds much promise in health promotion. 29– 31 Studies on the economic costs of the built environment must proceed, because they may provide critical information to policymakers regarding resource allocations. We conducted a cost analysis of building bike and pedestrian trails to provide some of this information.
