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Transportation and the Quality of Life

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Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research

Synonyms

Mass transit and qol; Transport; Transport mobility

Definition

Transportation (or just transport) refers to people’s ability to travel and the amount and type of travel activity that occurs in an area.

Description

Transportation affects the quality of people’s lives in many ways:

  • Transportation is an essential activity that provides access services and activities, such as education, employment, shopping, and social events. The quality of transport options available affects people’s ability to participate in social and economic activities.

  • Active modes (walking and cycling and their variants such as travel by wheelchair and scooter) provide enjoyment and exercise, so the quality of walking and cycling conditions in a community can affect residents’ happiness and health.

  • Transportation costs can be a significant financial burden, particularly to lower-income households.

  • Transportation activities impose significant indirect and external costs, including traffic congestion, road...

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References

  • Dowling, R., Reinke, D., Flannery, A., Ryus, P., Vandehey, M., Petritsch, T., et al. (2008), Multimodal level of service analysis for urban streets, NCHRP Report 616. Transportation Research Board. Retrieved 6 April 2013 from http://trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9470

  • Litman, T. (2009). Transportation cost and benefit analysis. Victoria Transport Policy Institute. Retrieved 6 April 2013 from www.vtpi.org/tca

  • Litman, T. (2010). Evaluating accessibility for transport planning. Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.orga). Retrieved 6 April 2013 from www.vtpi.org/access.pdf

  • Maibach, M., Schreyer, C., Sutter, D., van Essen, H. P., Boon, B. H., Smokers, R., et al. (2008). Handbook on estimation of external cost in the transport sector. Internalisation Measures and Policies for All External Cost of Transport (IMPACT). CE Delft, for the European Commission DG TREN. Retrieved 6 April 2013 from http://www.cer.be/uploads/media//2312_External_Costs_update_study_FINAL.pdf

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Correspondence to Litman Todd .

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© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Todd, L. (2014). Transportation and the Quality of Life. In: Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_3053

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_3053

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-0752-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-0753-5

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