Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.  Good mental health is more than the absence of a mental disorder; it is the sharpness of mind to respond to complex tasks whether at school, in the workplace, or in the home.

While extensive research on the connections between transportation and mental health is not available, the evidence is relevant in several key areas.  Mental health may be improved by increased physical activity depending on the choice of more active modes of transportation – walking, bicycling, and public transport.

Long-distance commutes and the commuting environment have been shown to have a negative impact on mental health.  Commuting brings with it noise and crowds, and increased stress particularly in situations of traffic congestion.  The stress can result in anxiety, hostility, and negative feelings.  Difficult commutes lead to tardiness or absenteeism from work or dropping from work entirely.  Other harmful effects of long-distance commuting include poor quality sleep and increases in work-life conflict.  In one study, Swedes commuting by car or public transport experienced increased everyday stress, particularly for trips more than 30 minutes.  The stress resulted perceived poor sleep quality, exhaustion (low vitality) and low self-rated health.  While long commutes by public transportation were stressful, commuting for less than 30 minutes using public transport was associated with less stress.  A commute is also made more stressful by high congestion and unpredictable traffic.  A commute can be made less stressful by ride-sharing or driving off peak hours when traffic is less congested.

Commuting by walking or bicycling constitutes regular physical activity which is associated with improved attention, memory, and cognitive speed across the lifespan.  Numerous studies have documented the effect of physical activity on academic performance.  Recently, a Danish study found that children 5-19 years of age who cycled or walked performed better in tests than those who had travelled by car or public transport.  The relationship also applies to older ages:  A British study found that physical exercise at 36 years was associated with a significantly slower rate of decline in memory from 43 to 53 years.  In a study on walking and cognitive function, researchers found that older women who walked the equivalent of an easy pace at least 1.5 hours per week had significantly better cognitive function and less cognitive decline than women who walked less than 40 minutes per week.^, 

About a quarter of Americans suffer from a mental disorder, ranging from anxiety and depression to eating disorders and suicide.  Physical activity, such as walking or bicycling, can improve self-esteem, mood, sleep, and protect against stress and anxiety.  One study found that regular physical activity reduced major depression, panic attacks, and social and other phobias.  Exercise can also act as therapy:  in another study, exercise was equally effective in reducing symptoms in patients with major depression as antidepressants after 16 weeks of exercising.

Influence of TRAC Programs

Urban design plays a role in influencing physical activity, particularly walking and cycling for transport.  Through Transportation Demand Management (TDM), the Transportation Resources for Arlington County (TRAC) contributes to improved mental health by reducing stress related to car driving and providing opportunities for walking and biking, which benefit mental health directly and indirectly through social involvement.

The impacts of TRAC programs on mental health may be measured as:

• Improvements in the quality of the commute
• Increased leisure time
• Increased use of active modes of transportation (minutes or miles)
• Improved subjective well-being (self-reported), including stress, quality of sleep, and work-life balance