TABLE 1.
Illustrative Context, Mechanism, and Outcome Configurations: The iConnect Study, United Kingdom
Context | Postulated Mechanism | Postulated Outcome |
Example A: Connect2 project to link city center to country park | Now easier and safer to reach park by active modes | Modal shift toward active modes for access to park |
Now easier and safer to reach park by active modes | Increase in overall physical activity associated with visit to park | |
Now easier and safer to reach park by active modes | Park users more likely than nonusers to walk or cycle in general after the intervention | |
No easier to get anywhere else by active modes | No overall effect on travel to work within city | |
Substitution hypothesis: compensatory decrease in activity within park | No change in overall physical activity associated with visit to park | |
Example B: Connect2 project to link university campus to nearby town | Now easier and safer to reach work by active modes | Modal shift toward active modes for access to work |
No easier to get anywhere else by active modes | No effect on travel for other purposes | |
Now easier and safer to reach work by active modes | Net reduction in carbon emissions from private vehicle (car, van, motorcycle) use among employees | |
Now easier and safer to reach work by active modes | Net reduction in household car ownership and use (e.g., car given up) | |
Now easier and safer to reach work by active modes | Net increase in household expenditure on other activities (potentially carbon intensive) resulting in net increase in household carbon emissions |