AI mapping of walkable features in rural neighborhoods to support activity and cancer prevention
Developing AI-measures of Pedestrian Environment Features for Physical Activity and Cancer Prevention in Rural Communities
This project builds AI tools to find sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting and other walk-friendly features in rural areas to help adults be more active and lower cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291287 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you live in a rural area, researchers will use AI to analyze maps, addresses, and street images of neighborhoods to find small walk-friendly features like sidewalks, crosswalks, and lighting. They will compare those features with how much adults move and with cancer death data to find patterns that matter. The team will adapt and test algorithms so they work well across large, diverse rural areas and produce maps and measures local groups can use. The work focuses on racially and ethnically diverse and lower-income rural populations to guide affordable changes that could make it easier to walk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living in rural U.S. communities, especially racially/ethnically diverse or lower-income populations interested in improving local walkability or reducing cancer risk.
Not a fit: People who live in urban areas or those with mobility limitations that prevent walking may not directly benefit from neighborhood-focused findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help communities target simple, low-cost changes—like adding sidewalks or lighting—that make it easier for people in rural areas to be active and potentially lower cancer risk.
How similar studies have performed: AI methods have successfully identified pedestrian features in urban areas, but applying and validating them across expansive rural regions is newer and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Scottsdale, United States
- Arizona State University-Tempe Campus — Scottsdale, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adams, Marc a — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Adams, Marc a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.