This report is concerned with the travel patterns of old people, and the role of transport in their everyday lives. It is based on a survey conducted among 647 old people living in Guildford in October 1975. Variations in travel patterns are explained in terms of personal background, health, type of household, and area of residence in the town. Ill-health and car availability are shown to have important effects upon travel behaviour; ill-health became increasingly significant among older respondents and became more important than the influence of financial position and social background. Some groups of the old people were found to be able to cope with transport problems better than others. Those living alone had to carry out more everyday activities than others, but had more difficulty in travelling. The old people living near the town centre had better access to a range of facilities, even if they had difficulty in travelling, than those who had to use motorised transport to reach a full range of facilities. It is suggested that improvements in transport and land-use planning, and in the provision of personal social services could assist old people in meeting their essential requirements. (Author/publisher)
Abstract