Citation

Wachs M, Blanchard RD. Transp. Res. Rec. 1976; 618: 19-24.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Several common views of the transportation requirements of elderly Americans are reviewed, and conclusions are reached regarding the older population of the next two decades. While the elderly of today are relatively dependent on public transportation, live at higher densities, have lower incomes, and travel relatively little compared with other groups, there are indications that the elderly of the future may not be similar. Planners wrongly assume that a decline in mobility occurs with aging because of the aging process itself. Rather, people bring certain long-established life-styles into their old age. The mobility patterns of today's elderly reflect life-styles that were developed decades ago, when mobility was limited for all citizens, regardless of age. By contrast, the elderly of the next 20 years will include many subsurbanites, many drivers, and many who travel a great deal. Planning and forecasting methods for the future transportation needs of the elderly should not be based on the transportation patterns and needs of those who are currently elderly, but should focus more on those who are now in their thirties and forties and will become the elderly of the future.