Measurement and Analysis of the Quality of Life

The future of transportation and its impact on regional environment depends in part on the interaction with other programs such as housing, education, health, and welfare. This Memorandum summarizes attempts thus far to determine whether it is feasible to identify and measure underlying dimensions of the quality of life (QOL) and relate them to transportation findings. A model of individual QOL includes a set of general qualities of the stream of events occurring to an individual that largely determine his sense of well-being. Several group judgment (Delphi) studies produced relatively well-defined lists of such qualities, including self-respect, affection, security, health, achievement, novelty, freedom, comfort, and aggression. Other studies compared lists of qualities with employment-environment opportunities and transportation choices. A number of approaches are suggested for future investigation, for example, in-depth time-event studies with small groups and cross-sectional national surveys based on a QOL model. 102 pp. Ref.