HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIA) OF PROPOSED “ROAD DIET” AND RE-STRIPING PROJECT ON DANIEL MORGAN
AVENUE IN SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
Maya Pack, MS, MPA
South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health
Abstract
The HIA examined the potential health impacts of the proposed re-striping and “road diet” of a downtown Spartanburg arterial road, Daniel Morgan Avenue (DMA). A road diet is a technique used to reduce the number of lanes on a roadway to
provide a safe space for pedestrians and cyclists. The proposed road diet in Spartanburg would reduce the roadway, currently two lanes in each direction, to one travel lane in each direction with a center turn lane. The freed-up space would be
used to provide sidewalks for pedestrians on each side of the roadway and a physically separated bicycle lane on one side. The research indicates that the proposed road diet and re-striping could not only improve the health of many people but it
may also prevent death, injury, and/or serious illnesses. The proposed improvements to the road design would allow for increased safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Traffic safety is likely to improve due to the decrease in motor
vehicles because individuals are being encouraged to utilize different modes of transportation. By increasing opportunities for physical activity and access to goods and services that support a healthy lifestyle, many chronic diseases can be
prevented on the community and individual level. Potential improvements to air quality due to a reduction in motor vehicles could have a positive effect in preventing and controlling respiratory illnesses and could directly lead to a decrease in
hospital visits due to asthma within the surrounding communities.
What is an HIA?
Spartanburg HIA
Health Impact Assessment is a practical approach for
collaboration between health and other sectors, translating public
health research into predictions and reasonable recommendations
that policy makers can use to ensure that new public decisions
contribute to healthier communities, outline opportunities to
maximize health gains, minimize adverse effects and improve
health for everyone in the affected community. HIA practitioners
view health from a broad perspective, consider the subgroups that
may be more vulnerable to a given impact; promote civic
engagement by engaging community members and other
stakeholder groups who will be affected by a decision; and
present an impartial, science-based appraisal of the risks,
benefits, trade-offs and alternatives involved in the decision.
In the fall of 2010, the South Carolina Department of
Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) received a
mini-grant from the Association of State and Territorial
Health Officials (ASTHO) for the purpose of strategic
planning and capacity building around HIAs in South
Carolina. DHEC selected a team to attend a national
training in November 2010, that included DHEC staff;
IMPH staff; a representative of the Metropolitan Planning
Organization in Spartanburg, SC; a representative from
Partners for Active Living, a community-based non-profit
organization in Spartanburg, SC; and a representative of
the Council of Governments for the
Berkeley/Charleston/Dorchester area at the other side of
our state. These partners decided that in addition to the
deliverables outlined in the ASTHO grant, we would
produce a Rapid HIA. The decision was made to examine
the potential health impacts of a proposed ‘road diet’ and
re-striping project on Daniel Morgan Avenue, a two mile
road in downtown Spartanburg. The HIA was undertaken
during 2011.
Daniel Morgan Avenue
Causal Pathway 1 Causal Pathway 2 Causal Pathway 3 Causal Pathway 4
Road Diet Cross Section
ReStripe
Section
Road Diet
Section
The proposal includes taking a four lane road and
reducing the lanes to three for the road diet
sections: one lane in each direction with a center
turn lane. The freed-up space would be used to
create sidewalks and a bike lane that is physically
separated from the roadway.
HIA Recommendations
Thank You
•Road Diet Section:
Take the existing 48’ four lane road and turn it into
a three-lane road
•Re-stripe Section:
A simple stripe for both sides of the road to create
a 4’ bike lane going in each direction
The South Carolina
Institute of Medicine and
Public Health would like
to thank each partner
that made South
Carolina’s first HIA
possible!
•Expand and market existing
bicycle lending program
•Provide ample signs to remind
motorists, pedestrians, and
bicyclists about road rules/safety
•Establish a cycling safety class
For the full HIA report,
please visit www.imph.org