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The conceptual mismatch: A qualitative analysis of transportation costs and stressors for low-income adults.

journal contribution
posted on 2017-12-11, 00:00 authored by K Lowe, K Mosby
Research on transportation and low-income groups has often focused on job accessibility and modeled travel times. Such models disconnect transportation from the more comprehensive social goal of enhancing well-being and fail to account for the full stress and time costs that low-income populations may face. To examine the actual, lived experiences of low-income adults, we conducted 52 interviews in two medium-sized metropolitan areas. Results show that low-income travelers have time costs beyond what is modeled, that low-income populations face stressors, like uncertain and unstable transportation, and that the dynamics of ride giving may strain social relations. In conclusion, we argue that placing transportation within the life experiences of low-income adults is critical for understanding how transportation could support or undermine health and well-being.

Funding

This research was supported by a U.S. Department of Transportation grant to the Southwest Region Transportation Center (RiP Project 35070).

History

Publisher Statement

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Transport Policy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Transport Policy, 2016. 49: 1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2016.03.009.

Publisher

Elsevier Inc.

Language

  • en_US

issn

0967-070X

Issue date

2016-07-01

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