Transportation and Mental Health in Central Texas Using 211 Call Center Data – An Exploratory Analysis

Mental health is an important part of an individual’s well-being and has been included as a key topic by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lack of access to affordable and efficient transportation can isolate individuals, limiting their ability to maintain employment, attend healthcare appointments, or engage in social and recreational activities—all of which are vital for mental well-being.  Long commutes, traffic congestion, and unreliable transit can contribute to chronic stress, anxiety, and fatigue, especially in urban environments. Active transportation options like walking and cycling not only reduce stress but also promote physical activity, which can reduce symptoms of depression.  The research project aims to understand the multifaceted relationships between transportation and mental health by conducting a literature review using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) in topic modeling to identify prevailing themes and research trends in transportation and mental health. Also, through collaboration with United Way for Greater Austin, this project will incorporate insights from 211 Call Center staff and volunteers to better understand transportation-related mental health concerns, from a frontline service perspective. The project will then analyze 211 Call Center data provided by the United Way for Greater Austin. This analysis will explore spatial and temporal variations in mental health-related issues and examine how transportation correlates with mental health concerns. Caller comments, when available, will complement the quantitative data by providing personal context and deepening the understanding of lived experiences. Ultimately, the findings will inform policy recommendations aimed at addressing transportation barriers as a means to improve mental health outcomes in communities.   

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $60,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348329

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Center for Efficient Mobility

  1111 Rellis Parkway
  Bryan, Texas  United States  77807
• Project Managers:

  Ocon, Monica

• Performing Organizations:

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135
• Principal Investigators:

  Hudson, Joan

• Start Date: 20250415
• Expected Completion Date: 20260731
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers
• Source Data: 02-10-TTI

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Data analysis; Literature reviews; Mental condition; Nonmotorized transportation
• Geographic Terms: Austin (Texas)
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Society; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01976232
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348329
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 13 2026 3:19PM