CARTEEH logo with green car and plant

Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Improved and Sustained Cognitive Abilities

Improved and sustained cognitive abilities, such as attention, memory, and information organization, boost your ability to focus, learn, and solve problems.1 About 153 million people live with an intellectual disability worldwide, making it difficult to get around cities and utilize public transportation.2 Improved and sustained cognitive abilities is a measurable indicator that implies that there are transport services readility available to convey people to health care centers to get appropriate treatment and care.

This indicator helps determine the effectiveness of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Data Collection

There are a few ways to find data on individuals with cognitive abilities. PsycINFO database is a reliable source of data; this database includes abstracts of psychological studies from around the world. A simple keyword function will provide the available data on individuals with cognitive abilities.3 The Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) is also a good resource. The ICPSR maintains a large archive of data sets, many of which include information on cognitive abilities.4

Examples

Use of local public transport among people with cognitive impairments – A literature review

Risser et al. (2015) stated in their literature review the need for public transport among people with cognitive impairments. The review focused on persons with cognitive disabilities and their demands for public transportation. The review realized that improved cognitive ability enables people to use transport services and reach their preferred destination easily. However, people with cognitive impairments do not have such opportunities due to the peculiarity of their conditions. The ability to commute throughout the town, including utilizing various forms of transportation, is a need for being able to engage in activities outside of the house. For those who suffer from cognitive disabilities, this might be very difficult.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2015.01.002

1. Patrick Alban DC. How to improve cognitive skills, your core mental abilities [Internet]. Be Brain Fit. [cited 2022 Jul 19]. Available from: https://bebrainfit.com/cognitive-skills
2. Zoe. Public transport: Accessibility solutions, also for the intellectual disability! [Internet]. Inclusive City Maker. 2019 [cited 2022 Jul 19]. Available from: https://www.inclusivecitymaker.com/transport-accessibility-intellectual-disability
3. Library guides: Tutorial: Using PsycINFO expertly: 2014 [cited 2022 Aug 1]; Available from: https://guides.lib.trentu.ca/tutorials/PsycINFO
4. Multiple Choices. Learning Resources; 1999.