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The association between light rail transit and satisfactions with travel and life: evidence from Twin Cities

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Abstract

Rail transit has been touted as a way to enhance livability, quality of life or satisfaction with life (SWL). However, the connections between transit and SWL are mainly conceptual, and little empirical evidence is available in the literature. Using the Hiawatha line in Minneapolis as a case, this study develops structural equations models on a 2011 dataset to explore the impacts of light rail transit (LRT) on SWL. We corroborate that the Hiawatha LRT positively influences SWL through enhanced access to different activities, and through improved transit service, enhanced accessibility, and their impacts on satisfaction with travel. The size of the impacts is marginal.

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Acknowledgments

The study was funded by the Transitway Impact Research Program (TIRP) in the Twin Cities. Jessica Schoner helped with survey administration.

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  1. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 301 19th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Jason Cao

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  1. Jason Cao
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Correspondence to Jason Cao.

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Cao, J. The association between light rail transit and satisfactions with travel and life: evidence from Twin Cities. Transportation 40, 921–933 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-013-9455-8

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