A new study has found that access to high-speed rail significantly improves the cognitive abilities and mental health of middle-aged and older adults, adding to the widely accepted economic and environmental benefits of high-speed rail.

Researchers tracked more than 11,000 middle-aged and older Chinese adults from 2011 to 2018, as the nation rapidly expanded its bullet train system. Today, China has over 30,000 miles of high-speed rail track, the largest network in the world.

“High-speed rail is more than just a faster way to travel; it is a tool for public health,” study Co-Author Xu Zong of the University of Helsinki told the science news website PsyPost. “ We found that HSR access helps improve cognitive health by reducing depression. By making it easier to travel and visit friends or family, HSR may reduce social isolation. Our findings suggest that when governments plan large-scale infrastructure, they should consider the ‘health dividends’ — such as improved mental well-being — alongside economic efficiency.”

Battling A Key Issue

Preventing cognitive decline among aging populations in the U.S. and worldwide has become a major public health challenge. 

The study, which was published in the journal Social Science & Medicine and cited by the National Institutes of Health, found three specific pathways from high-speed rail to better brain health:

• Better air quality from taking cars off the road reduces inflammation in the brain and nervous system, supporting healthier cognitive aging.
• Increased individual earnings resulting from improved mobility and job creation provide older adults with financial resources for healthier living, including access to health care.
• Expanded travel options reduce social isolation and depressive symptoms and keep the mind active.

“We already know high-speed rail is a game changer in terms of the benefits it creates for jobs, housing, and incomes, as well as reducing air pollution,” said Andy Kunz, president and CEO of U.S. High Speed Rail. “Now we can add the compelling evidence that high-speed rail is good for your health!”

About the Study

The researchers analyzed national health survey data from Chinese adults aged 45 and older and compared results on standard cognitive tests as high-speed rail operations were initiated in their cities.

The group’s statistical analysis indicated that the specific high-speed rail benefits of lowering particulate pollution, improving incomes, and reducing isolation and encouraging intercity travel were key mechanisms in enhancing cognitive health.