Case Study Massachusetts

8/10/2019 Case Study Massachusetts

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Steps Towards GreaHealth and Wea

Massachuse

Whats Good for He

is Good for Busines

More walkable neighborhand fewer miles traveled bsounds like a modern twithe American Dream. And itthat many states are embrin response to their mouneeds to move people, imhealth and build their econo

More active transportatiwalking and biking - has shown to increase phactivity, improve health and health care costs.

People who drive less andmore also save money ontransportation costs and more disposable income -theyre more likely to sit at businesses in waneighborhoods.

Additionally, many peopespecially young professiofamilies and older adults whoto age in place - are opting tin areas with lower speed lso they can walk safely arthe neighborhood. Wa

shopping districts with streets allow people to stoshop (and get some exercis

This case study prosome of the most invemodels and solutions thatmeet transportation, hand commercial needsMassachusetts, and a fewon how to bring them to

community.

PO Box 10581

Portland, OR(503) 757-8342 americawalks.org

Massachusetts stands out in Americas history for its signicant historical,cultural and economic roles. With a predominantly urban population, itis one of the most densely settled states: its the 7th smallest state byarea, but has a thriving population of more than 6.6 million. The typeof innovation needed to move this many people safely and efcientlyalso makes small but mighty Massachusetts a leader in sustainable andhealthy transportation.

Transportation decisions in Massachusetts and beyond are tied to a

communitys health and wealth. Every day, people use various forms oftransportation to get to work or school, to access markets and shoppingdestinations and to connect with friends and families.

And while Massachusetts generally ranks high on critical health metricslike obesity rates and access to primary care, there's more that needs tobe done. For example, the United Health Foundation tallied an obesityrate of 22.9 percent among adults in the state in 2014. Moreover, morethan 1 million adults there are physically inactive, and physical inactivitypercentages are highest among Blacks (26.9), Hispanics (34.3) and

American Indians (37.2).

As Massachusetts confronts the challenges of improving the publics healthand the quality of life in its communities, the state also must manageits complex commercial and economical needs by supporting its biggercities while also revitalizing its smaller, former mill and manufacturingtowns. Healthy transportation options, such as walking, are part of thisequation. In fact, one study found that pedestrian infrastructure projects

sidewalks, trails, crosswalks create an average of nine in-state jobsplus three out-of-state jobs for every $1 million spent.


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Fortunately, through efforts like the Healthy Transportation Compact, Mass in Motion and weMove

Massachusetts, the state is thinking outside the box on ways to serve the needs of its people when itcomes to transportation, health and commerce.

Massachusetts capitalized on the established and emerging connections between health andtransportation as early as 2009. That year, the Massachusetts legislature established the HealthyTransportation Compact. This legislation directs the Massachusetts Department of Transportation(MassDOT) to partner with various local, state and federal agencies when considering health intransportation, among other activities.

Health also is considered a key part of the states broader sustainability and customer-focused programknown as GreenDOT. This 2010 directive establishes a goal to better promote the options to walk, bikeor use public transit in Massachusetts.

In addition, increased walking is included in the states long-range transportation plan, called weMoveMassachusetts. WeMove Massachusetts also tracks the development of the Bay State Greenway, ashared-use path network that will connect people to businesses and promote walking.

Massachusetts has recognized that an increase in mode share for walking, along with biking andusing public transit, can bring several co-benets to the state. The executive-level support with locaimplementation in those early years reinforced not only the connections between these topics, but

more signicantly, encouraged collaboration with many stakeholders and partners across the state.

Getting Started

Building Programs and Partnerships that Work

Steps Towards GreaterHealth and Wealth

Massachusetts

Both state and local agencies in Massachusetts havebuilt an impressive history of working together and,in doing so, offer several good approaches. Oneis Mass in Motion, a statewide program that usesa community-based approach toward healthiereating and active living; it was fostered by theMassachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)and includes many local partners. Developing localcomplete streets policies, offering Safe Routes toSchool (SRTS) technical assistance and promotinghealthy dining restaurants and farmers markets areall a part of Mass in Motion.

When planning transportation projects MassDOTworks with MDPH to share the benets of theseapproaches with local communities. For example,local complete streets policies can help create saferand more pedestrian-friendly communities,


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Case Study Massachusetts