C2M2 invites you to join us in welcoming Dr. Eric Morris of Clemson University as a part of our Distinguished Speaker Series. Eric A. Morris is an Associate Professor of City and Regional Planning. His primary focus is transportation, particularly how transportation contributes to our quality of life. His current research focuses on transportation and happiness; transportation, time use, and activity patterns; and transportation and access to employment, shopping, food, and medical care. He has a strong interest in transportation equity and disadvantaged populations. He also conducts research in the field of transportation history, and is currently co-authoring a book on the development and financing of the freeway system. Other interests include shared mobility, connected and autonomous transportation, transportation and land use, transportation finance and economics, transportation policy, and transportation and the environment. He wrote a column on transportation for the New York Times for several years. He was also the Associate Editor of Access magazine, and currently serves as Handling Editor for the Transportation Research Record journal. Before returning to academia he worked as a travel writer, a sportswriter, and a television writer and producer.
Seminar Abstract
Transportation has many costs to the individual traveler (time, money, and danger) as well as to society (crashes, congestion, and pollution). Yet individuals spend a great deal of time and money on travel. Is it worth it, or are people making bad decisions? This talk centers on the “subjective well-being,” or happiness, associated with many dimensions of travel. Are people who travel more happier? Is access to vehicles associated with happiness? What are the costs and benefits to workers of a long commute? Which travel modes are associated with the most happiness? How does the city we live in effect our travel and activity patterns? In all, the results show that there are substantial benefits from travel.