Webinar Recording: Transit and Livability: Results from the National Community Livability Survey

September 12, 2019, 12:00PM (ET)

Transit and Livability: Results from the National Community Livability Survey

This session will present results from a national survey that was conducted to understand factors important to livability in both urban and rural areas across the country and to study the role of transportation and public transit. While many factors influence a community’s livability, affordable transportation options, such as transit services, can be an important contributor in both large and small communities. The study team conducted a survey, called the National Community Livability Survey, where respondents ranked the importance of livability factors and the quality of those factors in their communities, as well as perceived community quality of life. The survey provides information about what factors individuals in both urban and rural areas believe are important for community livability, as well as how they rate the quality of those factors in their communities. This information provides insight on how livability could be improved. An analysis of the survey data shows that livability improves as travel becomes easier, and community livability ultimately has a positive impact on overall life satisfaction. The presentation will describe the data that was collected, summarize the results, compare the results to previous case studies conducted in rural communities, and discuss the implications for improving livability and quality of life. Download Handout | Read Report

Presenter: Jeremy Mattson, Ph.D., Small Urban and Rural Transit Center, North Dakota State University

Jeremy Mattson has been working for the Small Urban and Rural Transit Center, a program of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at North Dakota State University, since 2007. He conducts research on issues important to the rural and small urban transit industry. His research areas have included rural transit needs assessments, ridership modeling, cost-benefit analyses, mobility management, rural intercity bus demand, travel behavior, mobility and transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities, and others. Dr. Mattson is also an assistant professor within North Dakota State University’s College of Business, where he teaches a course on public transit. He received a Ph.D. in transportation and logistics from North Dakota State University and also holds a Master’s degree in agricultural economics.