"The Impact of Traffic Congestion on Commuter Stress and Work Productivity in Accra, Ghana"
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the impact of daily exposure to traffic congestion on commuter stress, mental and physical health, and work productivity in Accra, Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed a quantitative research design, gathering data from 216 commuters using an online questionnaire. The data were analysed through regression analysis to assess the relationships between traffic congestion exposure and the mental, physical, and work-related outcomes of commuters. Gender and sector of employment were included as control variables. jpaswr Findings – The findings revealed that daily exposure to traffic congestion significantly affects both the mental and physical health of commuters, as well as their work productivity. Research limitations/implications – This study was conducted in the context of the Greater Accra region of Ghana, limiting the generalisability of its findings to other urban settings. Future research could explore these relationships in different cultural and infrastructural contexts or adopt a longitudinal design to examine long-term effects. Practical implications – The findings underscore the importance of improving urban transport systems and policies in Accra to mitigate the adverse effects of traffic congestion on public health and economic productivity. Employers are encouraged to consider flexible work arrangements to reduce the burden on employees. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the literature by examining the dual impact of traffic congestion on commuter well-being and employee productivity in the urban context of Accra.
Keywords
Traffic congestionCommuter healthWork productivityUrban transportAccra
References
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