Transport and Mobility Needs for an Ageing Society from a Policy Perspective: Review and Implications

Abstract

The world population is ageing, and many countries in the world are confronted by significant challenges in adapting their health and social systems to meet the requirements of this demographic change. It is well-accepted that mobility is often closely linked to a person’s independence, wellbeing and quality of life. Interest has increased across the world with regard to how the mobility needs of an ageing society can be addressed, since an ageing population is confronting nations across the globe and poses long-term challenges on a nation’s many aspects, including transport. Questions of how future policies can better respond to the mobility needs of an ageing population and how these policies can be delivered have emerged as major concerns for transport planners, operators and decision-makers. This review explores the way in which implemented policies have addressed the mobility needs of an ageing society, focusing on the provision of accessible, safe and affordable transport. More specifically, the paper reviews legislative and institutional approaches of addressing the mobility needs of an ageing population. The paper discusses the outcomes of these approaches and the remaining challenges in this policy area that relate to elderly people’s mobility and provides future research directions. Based on the discussion, clear conclusions about the effectiveness of particular policies are difficult to make. Alternative approaches (e.g., technological innovations) need to be considered in addressing older people’s mobility needs.

“It’s not time for us to sit down yet”: how group exercise programs can motivate physical activity and overcome barriers in inactive older adults

“…Our participants described competing priorities such as work and other obligations interfering with physical activity. Proximity or access to transportation to and from facilities are important for utilization of exercise programs for any age group, but are of particular importance in older adults who may have a limited capacity to walk or drive (Lin & Cui, 2021 ). Research on the Medicare-sponsored Silver Sneakers program identifies having access to free or inexpensive classes or exercise facilities as a significant motivator (Bethancourt et al, 2014 ).…”

Adapting Transportation Planning e-Tools to Older Adults’ Needs: Scoping Review

“…These phone interviews were transcribed and coded, and later on, the outcome was classified into mobility facilitators and barriers by 2 project team members and then covalidated by 2 researchers [ 24 ]. Emerging themes were compared with data from 2 workshops on mobility facilitators and barriers (see research protocol) [ 8 ]. Recurrent themes were finally analyzed by the research team to generate the Mobilaînés statements ( Table 2 ).…”

“…A survey was sent to the steering committee members (stakeholders from the public, scientific, and community sectors who work with or study the older adult population) [ 8 ] and LIPPA’s older adults committee to validate and classify these statements according to their importance and impact on promoting active aging. Gaps between the 2 group classifications were discussed during a steering committee meeting to decide the final classification: 9 statements were classified as important, recommended, or not important.…”

“…In addition, a lack of digital literacy increases their difficulty planning their trips and finding public transportation options [ 7 ]. These difficulties and barriers affect older adults’ ability to move around safely and independently and prevent them from maintaining social life as actively as they would like, which is often considered essential to maintaining social connectedness, independence, and a sense of well-being [ 8 , 9 ]. Thus, there is a need to provide accessible and affordable transportation options and support older adults in transportation planning and selecting the means of transport that best fit their needs and preferences [ 10 ].…”

What result in older persons’ acceptance of electric bikes in developing countries? An empirical evidence in Hanoi, Vietnam

“…The development of healthy and sustainable travel for older persons (≥55 years old) is a critical challenge for the cities because of the stable increase in the percentage of this group that is forecast to hit over 16% in 2050 [1]. An obvious characteristic of older persons' lifestyle is the decrease in physical and cognitive capacities but they have more time to pursue their hobbies and travel interest [2]. If they cannot participate in physical activities, they will be likely to confront health risks, such as social isolation, depression, a faster reduction in physical function, the severe diseases (e.g., diabetes, obesity, cancer, high blood pressure, and heart disease) [3].…”