The increasing population of older people in Europe is producing considerable challenges for future transportation systems. The aim of the GOAL project is to review current knowledge and identify research gaps in order to develop an action plan for innovative solutions to fulfil the transport needs of an ageing society. Previous work in the project has explored in a structured way the needs, and existing solutions and services provided to older people while using different modes of land-based transport. This report describes the result of GOAL work on ‘Implementation possibilities’. The objectives of this report were 1) to highlight and assess potential conflicts between the user needs of older people with regard to transport and external developments (trends and developments) and 2) to deliver insight in the implementation possibilities for an action plan. The approach deployed in this task is based on the confrontation of the supply side and the demand side of the transport system. Both demand and supply side are being influenced by trends and developments in domains of transport, ICT, economy, health, etc.. Where the needs (demand side) are not being met by the transport system (supply side), conflicts arise. Conflicts can be characterised in terms of time, money and feasibility. Conclusions * Most conflicts arise in infrastructure design in general (covering driving, walking and cycling). The conflict arise from a lack of expected developments to accommodate for increased number of older people using different types of infrastructure; * There is great potential of new technology and innovation. They can contribute to improved safety and prolonged mobility careers. The major threats of technology development is the speed of development and the potential overload of systems and the information produced by these systems. As older people have declined skills to adapt to and learn new technologies and process information; * Innovations in vehicle and information technology will probably lead to prolonged driving careers It becomes more difficult to adapt when people do not experience with other modalities and have to learn at older ages. It is necessary to prepare older drivers on their driving retirement. Recommendations for an action plan * Empower older people to learn and deal with a faster changing mobility system and technologies especially when support structures (socially, welfare state, etc) are tending to decline. * An important aspect to fulfil the transport needs of older people lies in infrastructure design. Research is needed to what level of adaptation of design standards are necessary. * As older people will form a new market, certain needs may be automatically being fulfilled by the market. Actions could be aimed at stimulating market developments producing products and services that are either tailor made or adaptable for older people. * Research is needed on walking as access mode. For each transport mode, whether it is driving, cycling of public transport, to ability to walk is a prerequisite. Little is known about what role walking, declining capabilities and accessibility have in the actual use of the transport modes. (Author/publisher)
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