Lab Activity 1

Abstract: In February, we ventured out into Nashville to compare two streets, 15 th

and 16th Ave. We were looking to determine the traffic circulation and the building
types, commercial and residential, located along the sides of each street. As we
walked along both streets, we began to observe the surroundings and collect data
based on what we saw. We noticed denser amounts of traffic circulation on 16 th
Ave compared to less traffic on 15 th Ave. We also noticed more commercial
buildings located on 16 th Ave, which would explain why there is more traffic
circulation than on 15 th, which included more residential homes.

Method: Prior to our journey across 16th and 15 th Ave, we discussed the form of
methods we would take to collect our data. Our group of four split into 2 groups to
collect different ecological, environmental, and social forms of data. The first
group, Lynnlee and William, counted the number of parked cars alongside the
road. The second group, Amber and Beatrice, counted the number of residential
and commercial buildings.

Results:
Discussion: When discussing the differences between 15 th and 16 th Avenue, we
considered two types of data. The amount of residential and commercial buildings,
and the number of parked cars on each street. We’ve concluded that 15 th Ave
carries mostly residential buildings, while 16 th Avenue is more commercially
dominant, but still has a fair number of residential homes. Analyzing the more
ecological data collected, we noticed the number of cars parked on 16 th was greater
than those on 15 th Ave. This can reveal the differences upon zoning between the
two streets and can even reveal further factors that can positively or negatively
affect the Edgehill community. Sixteenth avenue possesses more traffic and more
commercial buildings, therefore, possibly contributing to more noise pollution,
more traffic, and more general disturbances. Fifteenth avenue possess es the
adverse with more residential buildings and less traffic, therefore, contributing to a
less impactful environment. This contrast between cars and zoning can reveal some
of the disturbances that residents may feel within the Edgehill community in terms
of a busy environment and urban growth. Our studies did present some limitations
as observations could have been perceptually flawed and time of day could have
impacted the relative traffic among streets. For future studies, more accurate
methods of counting upon multiple selected dates could better portray the selected
data. In addition, GIS software could alleviate some of the discrepancies between
actual accounts and perceived counts.