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ICTD 2025

Transportation & Public Health

POSTER RECEPTION (View list of posters here)

UNDERSTANDING HOW URBAN TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE INFLUENCES THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

4:45 PM – 6:00 PM MT

Primary Author(s)

Hellen J. Shita, n/a

Graduate Research Assistant
Florida International University
Miami, Florida, United States

Presenter(s)

Hellen J. Shita, n/a

Graduate Research Assistant
Florida International University
Miami, Florida, United States

Co-Author(s)

Enock Mwambeleko, n/a

Graduate Research Assistant / Student
Florida International University
Miami, Florida, United States
SM

Sia I. Mwende, n/a

Graduate research assistant
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
Abdallah Kinero

Graduate Research Assistant
Florida International University
Miami, FL, United States
TC

Tumlumbe J. Chengula, n/a

ITS Engineer
HNTB Corporation
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
NN

Norran K. Novat, n/a

Graduate Research Assistant
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
BK

Boniphace Kutela, n/a

Associate Research Engineer
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Houston, Texas, United States

Submitter(s)

Hellen J. Shita, n/a

Graduate Research Assistant
Florida International University
Miami, Florida, United States

Abstract: Quality of life is a multifaceted concept approachable at different levels of generality, from the assessment of societal wellbeing to the specific conditions experienced by individuals or groups of people. Although extensive research has been performed to understand the key attributes associated with the quality of life, there is limited research on the relationship between transportation-related factors and residents' overall quality of life. This study uses Austin community survey data collected between 2016 and 2019 to understand the relationship between residents' satisfaction with urban transportation infrastructure and overall quality of life. Both dependent and independent variables were categorized into binary outcomes, (satisfied and dissatisfied), hence, the binary logistic regression model was used.

Results indicate that the higher level of satisfaction with street lighting adequacy, traffic flow on the streets, signal timings, and maintenance of streets and sidewalks significantly influence the positive perception of overall quality of life. Additionally, results indicate that the longer people live in Austin, the less likely they are to be satisfied with the overall quality of life. Further, residents with higher incomes and those who own their homes are more likely to be satisfied with the overall quality of life. This study underscores the importance of continuous investment and improvement in urban transportation infrastructure to foster high quality of life. The policy implications suggest that city planners, policymakers, and other responsible personnel could prioritize infrastructure projects that address residents' needs and preferences. Recommendations and possible future areas of further study are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:

Upon completion, participant will be able to identify key transportation-related factors that influence residents' overall quality of life.
Upon completion, participant will be able to explain how satisfaction with urban transportation infrastructure impacts perceptions of quality of life.
Upon completion, participant will be able to discuss the policy implications of the study’s findings and propose recommendations to improve quality of life through transportation infrastructure.