IMHO, findings have no value until and unless they build real routes with 'healthy obstacles' and see if people actually use them over flat and 'boring' pavements. I am not optimistic.

When I'm walking home from work in December I can tell you that I will personally choose the easiest and fastest route... That may be different if I am on a sunny Sunday stroll.

The healthiest obstacles, IMHO, would be those that preclude the passage of bicycles, of any wheeled conveyances for that matter.