Researchers at The University of Texas School of Public Health and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) are beginning a study to examine how the presence of Houston METRO’s north light rail line extension will affect physical activity and transportation behavior of nearby residents. “Although mass transit systems, such as the METRO light rail, can improve traffic congestion and connect more people to more places within a city, the effect it may have on people’s physical activity habits and the following health benefits has not been studied well,” said Dr. Harold W. Kohl III, principal investigator and professor of epidemiology and kinesiology at the Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, part of the University of Texas School of Public Health Austin Regional Campus.