Objective scoring of streetscape walkability related to leisure walking: Statistical modeling approach with semantic segmentation of Google Street View images. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nagata, Shohei; Nakaya, Tomoki; Hanibuchi, Tomoya; Amagasa, Shiho; Kikuchi, Hiroyuki; Inoue, Shigeru
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 66(2020:Nov.)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Neighborhood walkability -- Walking behavior -- Google street view -- Deep learning -- Semantic segmentation; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102428
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: Although the pedestrian-friendly qualities of streetscapes promote walking, quantitative understanding of streetscape functionality remains insufficient. This study proposed a novel automated method to assess streetscape walkability (SW) using semantic segmentation and statistical modeling on Google Street View images. Using compositions of segmented streetscape elements, such as buildings and street trees, a regression-style model was built to predict SW, scored using a human-based auditing method. Older female active leisure walkers living in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, are associated with SW scores estimated by the model (OR = 3.783; 95% CI = 1.459 to 10.409), but male walkers are not. Highlights: Semantic segmentation method enabled quantification of streetscapes. Several segmented components were related to streetscape walkability (SW). Automatic evaluation of SW produced association with older females leisure walking.