Wichita Transit System
The Kansas Health Institute and the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita conducted a health impact assessment (HIA) to inform a Wichita City Council vote on proposed changes to the city's transit system. The HIA found that the health of people who do not have a reliable car or social network would be most affected by changes in the public transit system. The report recommended including bus routes that provide adequate service to low-income areas, restricting smoking in bus stops, and connecting bus routes with grocery stores, health care facilities, schools, and parks.
These recommendations increased support among City Council members to incorporate health considerations in transit-related decisions and contributed to changes in the proposed improvements for Wichita's system, including banning smoking outside bus stops and eliminating a two-bag limit on buses in order to encourage people to use transit while grocery shopping.
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Status:Completed
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Publication date:2013, September
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Decision-making levels:Local
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Sectors:Transportation
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Additional topic areas:Public transit
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Drivers of health:Access to healthy food, Access to services/medical care, Employment, Safe and affordable parks and recreational facilities, Safe and affordable public transit, Safe street infrastructure
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Affected populations:Economically disadvantaged
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Community types:Urban
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Research methods:Literature review, Primary research, Quantitative research, Qualitative research
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Funding source:Health Impact Project grantee