Microtubule-dependent motor required for slow axonal transport of neurofilament proteins (NFH, NFM and NFL). Can induce formation of neurite-like membrane protrusions in non-neuronal cells in a ZFYVE27-dependent manner. The ZFYVE27-KIF5A complex contributes to the vesicular transport of VAPA, VAPB, SURF4, RAB11A, RAB11B and RTN3 proteins in neurons. Required for anterograde axonal transportation of MAPK8IP3/JIP3 which is essential for MAPK8IP3/JIP3 function in axon elongation. {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P33175, ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q6QLM7}. This is the function of ENSG00000155980 (KIF5A, kinesin family member 5A).