Usage of Mobile Apps to support Active Transportation: Scoping Review (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends 150-300 minutes of physical activity per week to lower health risks caused by sedentary behavior. Incorporating active transport (AT), non-motorized methods of transportation like walking and cycling, into daily life is an efficient way for individuals to reach recommended levels of physical activity. Active transportation can also improve the environment by reducing pollution emission when people make a switch from personal motorized vehicles. Smartphones have been explored as a tool to deliver health interventions through mobile apps, especially in the field of behavior change in weight loss and physical activity. OBJECTIVE This study sought to explore the extent of the usage of mobile apps in the field of active transport, both academically and commercially. We want to know if and how much mobile apps are being used in active transport research, as well as its availability commercially. This will allow us to realize the current trends and gaps of the field. METHODS A search on academic literature and commercial apps for any apps that support active transportation was done in five academic databases and the two app stores. For a wide check, commercial apps were searched in six countries, one in each continent. Two of the authors reviewed the articles and apps for inclusion and another made the final decision if conflict arose. RESULTS In academic literature, 24 apps were identified that were developed or used for AT promotion or AT research. Out of these 24 apps, 8 are still available for download. Through the commercial search, we found 34 apps on the Apple App Store and 107 on the Google Play Store, available in Australia, Brazil, France, South Africa, Thailand, and the United States. Most of the apps were bike shares, then research apps, campaign apps, and then resource apps. From this, we discovered that for iOS apps, there are 4 apps that integrated self-monitoring features, 5 apps that use gamification to encourage engagement in AT and 1 app that used incentives and rewards as a motivator. For android apps, we found 7 apps that have self-monitoring features, 8 apps that use gamification features, and 4 campaign apps that use incentives and rewards to encourage AT engagement. CONCLUSIONS With this scoping review, we found that mobile apps are being explored as a method to collect data for transportation research and as an intervention to promote AT. However, results of the interventions varied, indicating the need for further study for a successful promotion. The apps that were developed academically were rarely maintained. Furthermore, there are not enough commercially available evidence-based and science-backed mobile apps that support and encourage AT behavior.