• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Headwaters Economics

Headwaters Economics

Independent Nonpartisan Research

  • Research
    • Economic Development
    • Equity
    • Natural Hazards
    • Public Lands
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Tax Policy
  • Tools
  • About Us
  • Search

East South Central

Association Between User-Generated Commuting Data and Population-Representative Active Commuting Surveillance Data—Four Cities, 2014-2015

April 2019

One of the primary concerns about data from GPS tracking apps is that the users tend to be more frequent recreators or commuters and therefore do not accurately represent the actual population. This paper shows that there is a strong correlation between the reported share of people in a neighborhood commuting by active transportation between the American Community Survey (a nationally representative survey) and Strava (a GPS tracking app).

The economic impacts and uses of long-distance trails

December 2015

Although visitor spending per day along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail in western Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina is relatively low, the large number of visitors generates substantial economic impact. However, much of this spending is likely due to the attraction of specific historic sites and not the trail, because relatively few visitors were aware that the historic sites are connected to a larger regional trail.

An Economic and Impact Analysis of the Coldwater Mountain Bike Trail

February 2015

This survey found that avid mountain bikers are projected to have high daily spending and use the trails frequently on the Coldwater Mountain Bike Trail in Alabama. The new trail system is likely to be popular with locals and attract some outside spending that could have significant effects on retail and hospitality businesses that cater to this group.

Rider Preferences and Economic Values for Equestrian Trails

February 2015

This study found that equestrian trail users strongly prefer to visit trails specific to horses and are willing to pay a user fee to access them, but this preference is less pronounced for more experienced riders. Riders are also willing to pay more to ride on longer trails and on trails with scenic views.

Recreational Demand for Equestrian Trail-Riding

February 2015

This study found that the distance between a user’s home and the trailhead is the most important factor in determining how frequently a trail is used, though proximity alone is not enough if the trail lacks other equestrian-friendly characteristics. To provide the greatest benefit to equestrian users, land managers can look for opportunities to enhance existing trails near population centers with an avid equestrian population.

A Community-Based Approach to Promoting Walking in Rural Areas

February 2015

This study found that in southeastern Missouri, public health interventions to increase residents’ trail use, such as newsletters and fun walks, had no statistically-observable effect on residents’ walking habits or physical activity. A third of those who use the trail report increased overall physical activity levels since they began using the trail, suggesting while that trails can increase community physical activity, a primary challenge is getting residents to begin using them.

Footer

Independent Nonpartisan Research

Contact

© 2023 Headwaters Economics, all rights reserved

  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • Photo Credits
  • Media Coverage
  • Slides
  • Contact
  • Twitter