This special seminar at Portland State University will be in-person only, in room 315 of PSU's Engineering Building.
THE TOPIC
This study examines the impact of daily commuting on physical and mental health using time-stamped objective and subjective data. We tracked 203 Beijing employees over 10 days with smartwatches (Garmin vivosmart 4) to measure physical activity intensity and stress levels (via heart rate variability). Additionally, participants completed three random experience sampling surveys daily for five workdays to capture real-time mood data. We found that public transport commuting contributed the most to daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Longer commutes were associated with poorer moods but lower stress levels. Bus and bike commutes improved mood compared to driving, while walking and cycling elevated stress, with shuttle bus use showing the lowest stress levels. A key finding was the discrepancy between physiological stress, measured by biosignals, and self-reported psychological stress, highlighting the complexities of assessing mental well-being. These insights advance our understanding of the nuanced relationship between commuting and health.
KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Public transit significantly boosts daily physical activity levels.
- Active travel improves mood but may lead to higher stress levels.
- A discrepancy exists between physiological stress and self-reported psychological stress.
SPEAKER
Liang Ma is an assistant professor of urban and regional planning in the College of Urban and Environmental Sciences at Peking University, Peking, recognized as a Peking University Boya Young Scholar. His research explores the interactions between the built environment, travel behavior, health, and social equity. Dr. Ma has published in prominent urban planning, transportation, and geography journals, including the Journal of the American Planning Association, Journal of Transport Geography, and Annals of the American Association of Geographers. He also serves as a committee member for the Community Resources and Impacts (AME80) of the Transportation Research Board.
ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This 60-minute seminar is eligible for 1 hour of professional development credit for AICP (see our provider summary). We can provide an electronic attendance certificate for other types of certification maintenance.
Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) is a multidisciplinary hub for all things transportation. We are home to the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI), the data programs PORTAL and BikePed Portal, the Better Block PSU program, and PSU's membership in PacTrans, the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium. Our continuing goal is to produce impactful research and tools for transportation decision makers, expand the diversity and capacity of the workforce, and engage students and professionals through education, seminars, and participation in research.