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The "path" not taken: Exploring structural differences in mapped-versus shortest-network-path school travel routes

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  • Buliung, R.N.
  • Larsen, K.
  • Faulkner, G.E.J.
  • Stone, M.R.

Abstract

Objectives. School route measurement often involves estimating the shortest network path. We challenged the relatively uncritical adoption of this method in school travel research and tested the route discordance hypothesis that several types of difference exist between shortest network paths and reported school routes. Methods. We constructed the mapped and shortest path through network routes for a sample of 759 children aged 9 to 13 years in grades 5 and 6 (boys = 45%, girls = 54%, unreported gender = 1%), in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We used Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare reported with shortest-path route measures including distance, route directness, intersection crossings, and route overlap. Measurement difference was explored by mode and location. Results. We found statistical evidence of route discordance for walkers and children who were driven and detected it more often for inner suburban cases. Evidence of route discordance varied by mode and school location. Conclusions. We found statistically significant differences for route structure and built environment variables measured along reported and geographic information systems-based shortest-path school routes. Uncertainty produced by the shortest-path approach challenges its conceptual and empirical validity in school travel research.

Suggested Citation

  • Buliung, R.N. & Larsen, K. & Faulkner, G.E.J. & Stone, M.R., 2013. "The "path" not taken: Exploring structural differences in mapped-versus shortest-network-path school travel routes," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(9), pages 1589-1596.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2012.301172_5
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.301172
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    Cited by:

    1. Shatu, Farjana & Yigitcanlar, Tan, 2018. "Development and validity of a virtual street walkability audit tool for pedestrian route choice analysis—SWATCH," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 148-160.
    2. Silvia A. González & Olga L. Sarmiento & Pablo D. Lemoine & Richard Larouche & Jose D. Meisel & Mark S. Tremblay & Melisa Naranjo & Stephanie T. Broyles & Mikael Fogelholm & Gustavo A. Holguin & Estel, 2020. "Active School Transport among Children from Canada, Colombia, Finland, South Africa, and the United States: A Tale of Two Journeys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-22, May.
    3. Shatu, Farjana & Yigitcanlar, Tan & Bunker, Jonathan, 2019. "Shortest path distance vs. least directional change: Empirical testing of space syntax and geographic theories concerning pedestrian route choice behaviour," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 37-52.
    4. Shatu, Farjana & Yigitcanlar, Tan & Bunker, Jonathan, 2019. "Objective vs. subjective measures of street environments in pedestrian route choice behaviour: Discrepancy and correlates of non-concordance," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 1-23.
    5. Ikeda, Erika & Mavoa, Suzanne & Hinckson, Erica & Witten, Karen & Donnellan, Niamh & Smith, Melody, 2018. "Differences in child-drawn and GIS-modelled routes to school: Impact on space and exposure to the built environment in Auckland, New Zealand," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 103-115.
    6. Mitra, Raktim & Buliung, Ron N., 2014. "The influence of neighborhood environment and household travel interactions on school travel behavior: an exploration using geographically-weighted models," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 69-78.
    7. Ravensbergen, Léa & Buliung, Ron & Wilson, Kathi & Faulkner, Guy, 2016. "“Socioeconomic inequalities in children's accessibility to food retailing: Examining the roles of mobility and time”," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 81-89.

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