This paper addresses transportation options for older people. It covers the importance of transportation alternatives for the aged, demographics, the use of private motor vehicles, and the obstacles that non-drivers face. It also describes various possibilities for extending the older person's independently mobile years. Some of these possibilities include graduated drivers licensing that impose restrictions based on specific impairments; volunteer driver networks; redesigning roads, traffic signs and motor vehicles to make them safer for the older individual; redesigning communities to support and enable pedestrians; point to point paratransit; older driver education; and financial support for taxi operators who are willing to provide point-to-point trips at lower rates. (Author/publisher)
Abstract