TREC research addresses complex transportation problems by drawing on multiple disciplines, including engineering, planning, economics and design, from across the Portland State University campus. Use the search box at right to search for a specific project.

Research Highlights

Transportation, Social Support by Family Visitation, and Depression of Older Adult Nursing Home Residents: A Mixed-Methods Study

Vivian Miller
Older adults who live in nursing homes are at an increased risk for depression and anxiety, and research has shown that social connections and family support are key factors that positively impact their mental health. However, research also suggests that one of the primary barriers to maintaining those relationships, and enabling family members to visit residents, is transportation. This NITC dissertation examined transportation barriers of family members in the community visiting their loved… Read More

Effectiveness of Transportation Funding Mechanisms for Achieving National, State and Metropolitan Economic, Health and Other Livability Goals

Rob Zako Rebecca Lewis
The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), adopted in 2012, established national performance goals for Federal-aid highways in seven areas. (Federal Highway Administration, n.d.) MAP-21 requires states and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to establish performance-based planning processes, set targets (performance measures), and link planning and funding to these targets. States and MPOs have different mechanisms for allocating funding from various sources to… Read More