A systematic review on how does urban mobility and accessibility affect quality of life
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20868/tf.2025.23.5618Keywords:
accesibility, quality of life, subjective wellbeing, transport, urban mobilityAbstract
A better life is the goal for any individual and transport plays an evident role in improving the quality of life. Previously transport mobility has been explored in relation to quality of life but results remain inconclusive and transport accessibility measures are yet to be reviewed in respect to quality of life. Therefore, we scientifically reviewed 39 English language publications up to 10th August 2022 accessed from seven different databases and synthesized the results using PRISMA guidelines. Travel time, travel mode and travel distance were found to be the most significant transport mobility attributes associated with affective and cognitive measures of quality-of-life. Perceived accessibility, access to public transit, access to different modes of transportation and access to bus stops were found as transport accessibility attributes significantly affecting quality of life. The interaction between transport and quality of life, however, remains inconclusive.
Downloads
References
Adam, Z., Walasek, L., & Meyer, C. (2018). Workforce commuting and subjective well-being. Travel Behaviour and Society, 13(February), 183–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2018.08.006
Bamberg, S. (2014). Psychological contributions to the development of car use reduction interventions. In Handbook of sustainable travel (pp. 131–149). Springer.
Bergstad, C. J., Gamble, A., Gärling, T., Hagman, O., Polk, M., Ettema, D., Friman, M., & Olsson, L. E. (2011). Subjective well-being related to satisfaction with daily travel. Transportation, 38(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-010-9283-z
Brög, W., Erl, E., Ker, I., Ryle, J., & Wall, R. (2009). Evaluation of voluntary travel behaviour change: Experiences from three continents. Transport Policy, 16(6), 281–292.
Brown, Z. S., Oueslati, W., & Silva, J. (2016). Links between urban structure and life satisfaction in a cross-section of OECD metro areas. Ecological Economics, 129, 112–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2016.05.004
Chatterjee, K., Chng, S., Clark, B., Davis, A., De Vos, J., Ettema, D., Handy, S., Martin, A., & Reardon, L. (2020). Commuting and wellbeing: a critical overview of the literature with implications for policy and future research. Transport Reviews, 40(1), 5–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2019.1649317
Chng, S., White, M., Abraham, C., & Skippon, S. (2016). Commuting and wellbeing in London: The roles of commute mode and local public transport connectivity. Preventive Medicine, 88, 182–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.04.014
De Vos, J., Schwanen, T., van Acker, V., & Witlox, F. (2013). Travel and Subjective Well-Being: A Focus on Findings, Methods and Future Research Needs. Transport Reviews, 33(4), 421–442. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2013.815665
Delbosc, A. (2012). The role of well-being in transport policy. Transport Policy, 23, 25–33.
Delmelle, E. C., Haslauer, E., & Prinz, T. (2013). Social satisfaction, commuting and neighborhoods. Journal of Transport Geography, 30, 110–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2013.03.006
Denstadli, J. M., Julsrud, T. E., & Christiansen, P. (2017). Urban commuting – A threat to the work-family balance? Journal of Transport Geography, 61, 87–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2017.04.011
Diener, E., & Suh, E. (1997). Measuring quality of life: Economic, social, and subjective indicators. Social Indicators Research, 40(1–2), 189–216. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1006859511756
Dorantes Argandar, G., Tortosa Gil, F., & Ferrero Berlanga, J. (2016). Measuring situations that stress Mexicans while driving. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 37, 154–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2015.12.014
Eriksson, L., Friman, M., & Gärling, T. (2013). Perceived attributes of bus and car mediating satisfaction with the work commute. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 47, 87–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2012.10.028
Ettema, D., Friman, M., Gärling, T., & Olsson, L. E. (2015). Travel mode use, travel mode shift and subjective well-being: Overview of theories, empirical findings and policy implications. In Mobility, Sociability and Well-Being of Urban Living (pp. 129–150). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48184-4_7
Ettema, D., Gärling, T., Eriksson, L., Friman, M., Olsson, L. E., & Fujii, S. (2011). Satisfaction with travel and subjective well-being: Development and test of a measurement tool. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 14(3), 167–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2010.11.002
Ettema, D., Gärling, T., Olsson, L. E., & Friman, M. (2010). Out-of-home activities, daily travel, and subjective well-being. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 44(9), 723–732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2010.07.005
Ettema, D., Gärling, T., Olsson, L. E., Friman, M., & Moerdijk, S. (2013). The road to happiness: Measuring Dutch car drivers’ satisfaction with travel. Transport Policy, 27, 171–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2012.12.006
Friman, M., Ettema, D., & Olsson, L. E. (2018). Quality of Life and Daily Travel. http://www.springer.com/series/8364
Friman, M., Gärling, T., Ettema, D., & Olsson, L. E. (2017). How does travel affect emotional well-being and life satisfaction ? Transportation Research Part A, 106(September), 170–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2017.09.024
Giménez-Nadal, J. I., Molina, J. A., & Velilla, J. (2022). Trends in commuting time of European workers: A cross-country analysis. Transport Policy, 116, 327–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TRANPOL.2021.12.016
Hart, J. (2008). Driven To Excess: A Study of Motor Vehicle Impacts on Three Streets in Bristol UK. Bristol: University Of.
Higgins, C. D., Sweet, M. N., & Kanaroglou, P. S. (2018). All minutes are not equal: travel time and the effects of congestion on commute satisfaction in Canadian cities. Transportation, 45(5), 1249–1268. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-017-9766-2
Hybel, J., & Mulalic, I. (2022). Transportation and quality of life: Evidence from Denmark. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 157(December 2021), 107–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2021.12.003
Ingenfeld, J., Wolbring, T., & Bless, H. (2019). Commuting and Life Satisfaction Revisited: Evidence on a Non-linear Relationship. In Journal of Happiness Studies (Vol. 20, Issue 8). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-0064-2
Inturri, G., Giuffrida, N., Le Pira, M., Fazio, M., & Ignaccolo, M. (2021). Linking public transport user satisfaction with service accessibility for sustainable mobility planning. In ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information (Vol. 10, Issue 4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi10040235
Kent, J. L., Mulley, C., & Stevens, N. (2019). Transport and wellbeing in a newly constructed greenfield estate : A quantitative exploration of the commuting experience. Journal of Transport & Health, 13(May), 210–223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2019.04.007
Kim, J., Schmöcker, J. D., Nakamura, T., Uno, N., & Iwamoto, T. (2020). Integrated impacts of public transport travel and travel satisfaction on quality of life of older people. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 138(March), 15–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2020.04.019
Kim, S., & Ulfarsson, G. (2013). Transportation in an aging society. Transportation Research Record, 2357, 109–115. https://doi.org/10.3141/2357-13
Kroesen, M. (2014). Assessing Mediators in the Relationship Between Commute Time and Subjective Well-Being Structural Equation Analysis. Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 123-144https://doi.org/10.3141/2452-14
Lättman, K., Olsson, L. E., & Friman, M. (2016). Development and test of the Perceived Accessibility Scale (PAC) in public transport. Journal of Transport Geography, 54, 257–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.06.015
Lättman, K., Olsson, L. E., & Friman, M. (2019). Perceived Accessibility , Satisfaction with Daily Travel , and Life Satisfaction among the Elderly.
Ling, D. J., & Mannion, R. (1995). Enhanced mobility and quality of life of older people: Assessment of economic and social benefits of dial-a-ride services. Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Transport and Mobility for Older and Disabled People, 1.
Liu, J., Ettema, D., & Helbich, M. (2022). Systematic review of the association between commuting, subjective wellbeing and mental health. Travel Behaviour and Society, 28(February), 59–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2022.02.006
Liuima, J. (2021). The “New Normal” in Mobility: How Commuting Patterns Will Evolve. https://www.euromonitor.com/article/the-new-normal-in-mobility-how-commuting-patterns-will-evolve
Lorenz, O. (2018). Does commuting matter to subjective well-being? Journal of Transport Geography, 66(December 2017), 180–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2017.11.019
Majumdar, B. B., Jayakumar, M., Sahu, P. K., & Potoglou, D. (2021). Identification of key determinants of travel satisfaction for developing policy instrument to improve quality of life: An analysis of commuting in Delhi. Transport Policy, 110(July 2020), 281–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2021.06.012
Mao, Z., Wang, F., & Wang, D. (2022). Attitude and accessibility on transit users’ travel satisfaction: A person-environment fit perspective. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2022.103467
Mattisson, K., Idris, A. O., Cromley, E., Håkansson, C., Östergren, P. O., & Jakobsson, K. (2018). Modelling the association between health indicators and commute mode choice: a cross-sectional study in southern Sweden. Journal of Transport and Health, 11(October), 110–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2018.10.012
Mccarthy, S., & Ahsanul, M. (2018). Investigation of life satisfaction , travel , built environment and attitudes. Journal of Transport & Health, 11(September), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2018.09.007
Mokhtarian, P. L. (2019). Subjective well-being and travel: retrospect and prospect. Transportation, 46(2), 493–513. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-018-9935-y
Morris, E. A. (2015). Should we all just stay home ? Travel , out-of-home activities , and life satisfaction. Transportation Research Part A, 78, 519–536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2015.06.009
Morris, E. A., & Zhou, Y. (2018). Are long commutes short on benefits? Commute duration and various manifestations of well-being. Travel Behaviour and Society, 11, 101–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2018.02.001
Nie, P., & Sousa-poza, A. (2018). Commute time and subjective well-being in urban China. China Economic Review, 48, 188–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2016.03.002
Nordbakke, S., & Schwanen, T. (2014). Well-being and Mobility: A Theoretical Framework and Literature Review Focusing on Older People. In Mobilities (Vol. 9, Issue 1, pp. 104–129). https://doi.org/10.1080/17450101.2013.784542
Norgate, S. H., Lavin, S., Stonier, C., Cooper, C. L., Norgate, S. H., Lavin, S., Stonier, C., & Cooper, C. L. (2019). The impact of public transport on the health of work commuters : a systematic review systematic review. Health Psychology Review, 0(0), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2019.1618723
Oliveira, R., Moura, K., Viana, J., Tigre, R., & Sampaio, B. (2015). Commute duration and health : Empirical evidence from Brazil. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 80, 62–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2015.07.020
Olsson, L. E., Friman, M., & Fujii, S. (2020). Travel and life satisfaction - From Gen Z to the silent generation. Journal of Tranport and Health, 18(May). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2020.100894
Pan, Y., Fu, X., & Wang, Y. (2020). Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management How does travel link to life satisfaction for senior tourists ? Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 45(July), 234–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2020.07.013
Pavot, W., & Diener, E. (1993). Review of the satisfaction with life scale. Psychological Assessment, 5 (2), 164-172. Diunduh Pada Tanggal, 16.
Raustorp, J., & Koglin, T. (2019). The potential for active commuting by bicycle and its possible e ff ects on public health. Journal of Transport & Health, 13(October 2018), 72–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2019.03.012
Ravulaparthy, S., Yoon, S., & Goulias, K. (2013). Linking elderly transport mobility and subjective well-being. Transportation Research Record, 2009(2382), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.3141/2382-04
Reardon, L., & Abdallah, S. (2013). Well-being and Transport: Taking Stock and Looking Forward. Transport Reviews, 33(6), 634–657. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2013.837117
Richter, J., Friman, M., & Gärling, T. (2011). Soft transport policy measures: Gaps in knowledge. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 5(4), 199–215.
Rüger, H., Pfaff, S., Weishaar, H., & Wiernik, B. M. (2017). Does perceived stress mediate the relationship between commuting and health-related quality of life ? 50, 100–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2017.07.005
Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (2008). Know thyself and become what you are: A eudaimonic approach to psychological well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(1), 13–39.
Sha, F., Li, B., Wa, Y., & Yip, P. S. F. (2019). Associations between commuting and well-being in the context of a compact city with a well-developed public transport system. Journal of Transport & Health, 13(April), 103–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2019.03.016
Singleton, P. A. (2019). Validating the Satisfaction with Travel Scale as a measure of hedonic subjective well-being for commuting in a U.S. city. Transportation Research Part F: Psychology and Behaviour, 60, 399–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2018.10.029
Smith, O. (2017). Commute well-being differences by mode: Evidence from Portland, Oregon, USA. Journal of Transport and Health, 4, 246–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2016.08.005
Spinney, J. E. L., Scott, D. M., & Newbold, K. B. (2009). Transport mobility benefits and quality of life: A time-use perspective of elderly Canadians. Transport Policy, 16(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2009.01.002
St-louis, E., Manaugh, K., Lierop, D. van, & El-geneidy, A. (2014). The happy commuter : A comparison of commuter satisfaction across modes. TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART F, 26, 160–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2014.07.004
Sun, Y., Ph, D., Liu, Y., Tao, F., & Ph, D. (2015). Associations Between Active Commuting to School , Body Fat , and Mental Well-being : Population-Based , Cross-Sectional Study in China. Journal of Adolescent Health, 57(6), 679–685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.09.002
Susilo, Y. O., & Cats, O. (2014). Exploring key determinants of travel satisfaction for multi-modal trips by different traveler groups. 67, 366–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2014.08.002
Taniguchi, A., Grääs, C., & Friman, M. (2014). Satisfaction with travel, goal achievement, and voluntary behavioral change. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 26(PART A), 10–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2014.06.004
Veenhoven, R. (2002). Why social policy needs subjective indicators. Social Indicators Research, 58(1), 33–46.
Vella-Brodrick, D. A., & Stanley, J. (2013). The significance of transport mobility in predicting well-being. Transport Policy, 29, 236–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2013.06.005
Vos, J. De, Schwanen, T., Acker, V. Van, & Witlox, F. (2015). How satisfying is the Scale for Travel Satisfaction ? Transportation Research Part F: Psychology and Behaviour, 29, 121–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2015.01.007
Wang, F., Mao, Z., & Wang, D. (2020). Residential relocation and travel satisfaction change: An empirical study in Beijing, China. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 135, 341–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2020.03.016
Waterman, A. S., Schwartz, S. J., Zamboanga, B. L., Ravert, R. D., Williams, M. K., Bede Agocha, V., Yeong Kim, S., & Brent Donnellan, M. (2010). The Questionnaire for Eudaimonic Well-Being: Psychometric properties, demographic comparisons, and evidence of validity. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 5(1), 41–61.
Webster, N., Gow, J., Gilhooly, M., Hamilton, K., O’Neill, M., & Edgerton, E. (2002). Transport barriers to activity in old age. Active ageing: myth or reality. Proceedings of the British Society of Gerontology 31st Annual Conference, 12–14.
Wu, W., Chen, W. Y., Yun, Y., Wang, F., & Gong, Z. (2022). Urban greenness, mixed land-use, and life satisfaction: Evidence from residential locations and workplace settings in Beijing. Landscape and Urban Planning, 224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104428
Ye, R., & Titheridge, H. (2019). The determinants of commuting satisfaction in low-income population : A case study of Xi ’ an , China. Travel Behaviour and Society, 16(September 2017), 272–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2019.01.005
Zhu, J., & Fan, Y. (2018). Commute happiness in Xi’an, China: Effects of commute mode, duration, and frequency. Travel Behaviour and Society, 11, 43–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2018.01.001
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.






