Measures of a Sustainable Commute as a Predictor of Happiness

Scott Cloutier, Alex Karner, Hanna L. Breetz, Parinaz Toufani, Nuri Onat, Sambhram Patel, Siddhanth Paralkar, Erica Berejnoi, Beth Ann Morrison, Jason Papenfuss, A. Davieau Briggs and Cynthia Carlson
Additional contact information
Scott Cloutier: Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Alex Karner: Graduate Program in Community and Regional Planning, School of Architecture, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
Hanna L. Breetz: Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Parinaz Toufani: Department of Industrial Engineering at Istanbul Sehir University, 34865 Istanbul, Turkey
Nuri Onat: Department of Industrial Engineering at Istanbul Sehir University, 34865 Istanbul, Turkey
Sambhram Patel: Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Siddhanth Paralkar: Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Erica Berejnoi: Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Beth Ann Morrison: Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Jason Papenfuss: Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A. Davieau Briggs: Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Cynthia Carlson: Department of Civil Engineering, Merrimack College, North Andover, MA 01845, USA

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: The ways in which we travel—by what mode, for how long, and for what purpose—can affect our sense of happiness and well-being. This paper assesses the relationships between measures of the sustainability of transportation systems in U.S. metropolitan areas and subjective well-being. Associations between self-reported happiness levels from the Gallup Healthways Well-being Index and commute data were examined for 187 core-based statistical areas (CBSA). We also supplement this quantitative analysis through brief case studies of high- and low-performing happiness cities. Our quantitative results indicate that regions with higher commute mode shares by non-automobile modes generally had higher well-being scores, even when controlling for important economic predictors of happiness. We also find that pro-sustainable transportation policies can have implications for population-wide happiness and well-being. Our case studies indicate that both high and low scoring happiness cities demonstrate a dedicated commitment to improving sustainable transportation infrastructure. Our study suggests that cities that provide incentives for residents to use more sustainable commute modes may offer greater opportunity for happiness than those that do not.

Keywords: happiness; subjective well-being; sustainability; transportation; sustainable transportation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:7:p:1214-:d:104509

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