Travel to work and its effects on commuters' health: a methodology

Abstract

THIS study developed a methodology to investigate the possible adverse health effects of commuting, in terms of stress, physical or other reactions, and whether more difficult commuting journeys cause worse effects. Two postal questionnaires (bench mark and diary-type) comparing different transport methods were developed; 127 employees of the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust were randomly selected (response rate of 63 per cent) and 28 of these were randomly re-selected to complete the daily questionnaire (response rate of 74 per cent). Achieve ment of the study's main aim, the testing of methods, was demonstrated by high response rates and the co-operation generated. Questionnaire adminis tration was successful and the blinding procedure ensured anonymity. The most significant adverse ef fects appeared to be tiredness, followed by irritation and bad temper: however, for the majority of jour neys, no ill-effects were reported.