The effect of transport on Birmingham residents' quality of life is to be measured by a Government watchdog.
The Audit Commission is to conduct a survey of every local authority in England under proposals announced last week.
It will then publish comparative data on traffic flows and how people travel to work.
The Commission will also measure the percentage of residents who think their local area has improved, or not, in terms of congestion and public transport provision.
The survey follows a recent MORI poll which showed being close to a bus stop, train station or metro service is one of the top priorities for people deciding how they feel about their neighbourhood.
When asked what makes somewhere a good place to live, people also put the quality of public transport above road and pavement repairs, leisure facilities, and low levels of pollution.
Coun Gary Clarke (Con Walsall Streetley), chairman of the policy-setting West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority, said: "I'm sure the Audit Commission results will make interesting reading.
"Other studies have shown the importance of quality public transport in boosting the profile and economy of a city - and we all know that easing rush- hour stress makes everyone feel better and makes workers more productive.
"The Audit Commission study is aimed at helping local communities to become more sustainable and this is where public transport can make a great contribution in improving mobility while cutting congestion and pollution."
Meanwhile, the Department for Transport is to begin asking major city authorities to set targets to reduce delays to people rather than vehicles.
Congestion monitoring in the ten largest conurbations, including the West Midlands, will provide a baseline figure by which reduction targets for 2010 will be set next March.
Previously, congestion data was measured on the delay to vehicles, which took no account of the number of people travelling in each car.
