The mind in transit
A mediation analysis of road networks, mass transit, and passenger well-being in Sheger and Addis Ababa Cities, Ethiopia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22432004 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Tesfaye Asefa (Ethiopian Civil Service University, corresponding author), Ranavijai Bahadur Singh (Ethiopian Civil Service University), Mulugeta GIRMA (0000-0002-5548-8010, Ethiopian Civil Service University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication date | 2026-12-31 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Urban, Planning and Transport Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2165-0020 • E-ISSN: 2165-0020 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/21650020.2026.2624226 |
| OpenAlex | W7127103881 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 40 |
In rapidly urbanizing cities such as Addis Ababa and Sheger, efficient transportation is crucial for citizen well-being. This study investigates the critical link between mass transit, road networks, and commuter mental health, proposing that road quality is a key mediator. Using a quantitative approach, we surveyed 469 commuters and analyzed the data with confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The model demonstrated an excellent fit (CFI = 0.987, RMSEA = 0.054), confirming a robust structure. These findings reveal that mass transit directly and significantly improves mental well-being (β = 0.43, p < 0.001). Crucially, we also identified a significant mediating pathway: mass transit enhances the perceived quality of road networks (β = 0.35, p < 0.001), which in turn positively impacts mental well-being (β = 0.29, p < 0.01). This indicates that improving mass transit boosts passenger comfort directly, but its effectiveness is amplified when supported by high-quality road infrastructure. For policymakers, this underscores the necessity of a holistic urban strategy. Investing in integrated transit systems and robust road networks is not just an infrastructure goal; it is a direct investment in the mental well-being of the public and the foundation for sustainable, livable cities.
Confirmatory factor analysis · Mass transportation · Mediation · Public transport · Structural equation modeling · Traffic and Road Safety · Urban Green Space and Health · Urban Transport and Accessibility
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |