Christiana and teammates probed the effectiveness of using signage along pathways to encourage people to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves. The researchers share that they “examined the effectiveness of a point-of-decision prompt to increase physical distancing (maintaining at least 6 ft of distance) on greenways and rail-trails using systematic observation. . . . Results indicate that the intervention did not have a significant effect on interacting groups maintaining physical distance. However, groups maintaining physical distance increased from baseline (72%) to post-intervention (79%) and likelihood of maintaining physical distance at baseline and post-intervention was higher when: passing in the opposite direction compared to passing in the same direction; using 12-foot-wide trails compared to 10-foot-wide trails; and only one person was in each group. These results provide important implications for public health and parks and recreation professionals to promote physical distancing on multi-use trails.”
Richard Christiana, Shay Daily, Thomas Bias, Vaike Haas, Angela Dyer, Elizabeth Shay, Adam Hege, Robert Broce, Heather Venrick, and Christiaan Abildso. “Effectiveness of a Point-of-Deciion Prompt to Encourage Physical Distancing on Greenways and Rail-Trails During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Environment and Behavior, in press, https://doi.org/10.1177/00139165221114897