AARP Hearing Center
Transportation is a vital link that connects people to their communities. Older adults need a variety of convenient and safe transportation options. These include walking, bicycling, using micromobility devices, taking public transportation, ride-sharing, and driving. Such options provide access to jobs, social activities, medical appointments, and community services that support their independence. All are essential for ensuring mobility. They enable people to continue to live in their communities as they get older, particularly if they do not drive.
Community engagement to assess residents’ needs and values is a core element of transportation planning at all levels of government. It is also important to understand how our transportation investments affect population subgroups differently. For instance, transportation policy has traditionally favored personal vehicles over other modes of transportation. This has reduced mobility for those who do not drive, such as some older adults, people with disabilities, and people with low incomes.
Lack of investment in infrastructure that supports alternatives to driving is especially harmful in communities of color. Black and Latino people are more likely to depend on public transportation. Inadequate attention to street design can result in walking and bicycling not being viable alternatives to driving. Those who choose to do so in communities lacking such infrastructure face increased risk of injury or death. This is especially concerning for older adults, who are disproportionately represented in pedestrian fatalities.
Many older adults need specialized transportation services. Paratransit is a specialized transportation service designed for individuals with disabilities who cannot use traditional fixed-route public transit systems like buses and trains. It provides door-to-door or curb-to-curb service. It typically uses wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) equipped with features like ramps or lifts to accommodate passengers using wheelchairs or mobility scooters. WAVs may also be used in other contexts, such as for ride-sharing or personal use. Some older adults also find it useful to have escorts to physician offices. These specialized transportation services help older adults overcome any physical limitations they may face and stay mobile.
Road safety is also critically important. For decades, fatality rates were on the decline due to effective policy, vehicle and infrastructure design, and licensing procedures. A rise in road fatality rates in recent years, particularly for pedestrians and bicyclists, indicates that more needs to be done. Older road users, people from communities of color, and people with low incomes bear a higher share of the harm.
In the past few years, the transportation sector has introduced innovations in vehicle technology and on-demand services, with many more on the horizon. It is imperative that public policy enables public- and private-sector investments to serve and protect all people as they age.