Highway as Barriers to Park Visitation: A Fixed Effects Analysis Using Mobility Data

Abstract

Urban parks provide critical benefits for public health, mental well-being, and social connection. However, inequities in park access and use persist, particularly among socially and economically vulnerable populations. While previous studies have established that segregation and social vulnerability each contribute to uneven park access, little is known about how these two forces interact to shape real visitation patterns. This study addresses this research gap and answers the research question: How does highway segregation relate to differences in the different aspects of social vulnerability in influencing park access across Austin’s east–west divide? SafeGraph mobility data from 2019 and the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), which included four themes (i.e., socioeconomic status, household composition, minority status and language, and housing and transportation characteristics), were analyzed through fixed-effects regression models for Austin, Texas. Results show that household composition and minority vulnerabilities have negative associations with park visitation, indicating that areas with more elderly, single-parent, or minority residents visit parks less frequently. Interaction terms reveal that highway segregation functions as a structural barrier that conditions the influence of social vulnerability on park use. Those associated with socioeconomic resources diminish, while the disadvantages linked to household composition and minority status intensify on the east side of I-35, reflecting the cumulative effects of segregation and infrastructural division. These findings confirm that inequities in park access are more pronounced on the east side of the I-35, consistent with the highway’s role in reinforcing segregation. Efforts to strengthen connectivity represent key strategies for advancing equitable park visitation across Austin.