The environments we live in have a big effect on our health. Neighborhood planning and the transportation network are two of the biggest factors that influence health in cities. In Baltimore, the Red Line will affect both neighborhoods and transportation choices. Knowing this, the city commissioned a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to learn how the Red Line will impact health. The findings from the HIA revealed that the Red Line will have a positive long-term effect on public health by reducing air pollution and encouraging more physical activity. The HIA also suggested that the construction phase of the Red Line project could present some temporary health hazards.
Some key recommendations include creating more green space along the route, ensuring that people can safely walk and bike to Red Line stations, and using clean technology during construction.
To learn more about the findings and recommendations found in the report, download the HIA Executive Summary and the full HIA report.