This report represents the results of the second work package of the DG MOVE project CONSOL — Concerns and Solutions — Road Safety in the Ageing Societies. The work package “Mobility patterns in the ageing population” aimed to gather new insights on travel and mobility behaviour of senior citizens in Europe using existing statistical data available in the partner countries, in order to provide a sound data basis for the assessment of problem areas as well as opportunities for solutions. For this purpose a comparative study using national travel survey data from available data sources of different partner countries was applied and a disintegrated approach with focus on different subgroups was used whenever possible. Based on the assumption of heterogeneity with regard to mobility behaviour within the older age groups, i.e. need for transportation and preferred modes of transportation, the focus of this approach lies in determining specific mobility groups according to factors, which are considered to be triggers for significant changes in mobility behaviour. The analysis especially aimed to identify and determine the mobility behaviour of seniors and explain these aspects in view of the CONSOL State-of-the-Art Report. On the following pages, the results of five national and international surveys are aggregated, providing a selective picture of findings for Europe. Because this approach made use of a secondary data analysis, i.e. already available survey data produced in course of national and international projects on mobility and travel behaviour of older road users, strict statistical comparisons were not possible due to methodological concerns. This included the fact that different approaches were applied with regard to data collection etc. Therefore, data could not be combined in one data set and interpreted in the same way. However, the conclusions drawn on the basis of the different findings appeared consistent in the direction of their interpretation. Where conclusions contradicted each other, possible explanations were discussed which provided an extended picture of the mobility situation of Europe’s elderly population and factors influencing the situation. The approach to data analysis described below is based on the assumption that a descriptive comparison of already existing data sets allows for a comprehensive view of the mobility needs and problems of senior road users in Europe. The results of this work package are assessed based on a three-level approach, which aimed to assess the general mobility behaviour and mobility patterns of the older age groups in Europe. In addition specific factors such as health status and sensory and motor impairments are discussed. (Author/publisher)
Abstract