THE MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY EXPECTATIONS OF SENIORS IN AN AGING POPULATION

Authors

Rafah Alsnih
David A. Hensher

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2003

Subject Area

planning - methods, planning - surveys, land use - planning, ridership - old people, ridership - old people, mode - mass transit, mode - paratransit, literature review - literature review

Keywords

Travel patterns, Transportation policy, Transportation planning, Transit, Senior citizens, Public transit, Paratransit services, Older people, Old people, Mobility, Mass transit, Local transit, Literature surveys, Literature reviews, Health, Empirical methods, Elderly persons, Dial a ride, Aged, Accessibility

Abstract

This study investigates the mobility needs and travel patterns of individual over 64, distinguishing between the "young" elderly (aged 65-75 years) and the "old" elderly (over 75 years). This distinction is particularly useful in recognizing the threshold of health change that impacts in a non-marginal way on mobility needs. This distinction also focuses transportation planning and policy on a commitment to understanding the different needs of the sub-groups of the population, identifying services and facilities that better cater to these groups. The evidence on the mobility characteristics of the over 75 group is reviewed in particular, including how they secure support through migration and settlement patterns. The empirical evidence from several western nations is used to identify the role of conventional and specialized public transportation as an alternative to the automobile in meeting mobility and accessibility needs. The studies reviewed suggest that opportunities for more flexible forms of transport should be investigated both in terms of the technology and the service provider. The market for flexible public transportation catering to seniors may be large enough to become a core business component of mainstream operators.

Comments

Transportation Research Part A Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09658564

Recommended Citation

ALSNIH, R, Hensher, D, (2003). THE MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY EXPECTATIONS OF SENIORS IN AN AGING POPULATION. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Volume 37, Issue 10, p. 903-916.