Extending Safe Travel for Older People

Email this article
Printer friendly page

Project Description

Researchers at IMR have conducted two studies on safe auto and transit use for older travelers at the Rossmoor Retirement Center in Walnut Creek, California. Rossmoor is approximately two miles from downtown Walnut Creek and two and a half miles from the BART station. The complementary focus of each study (i.e., driving vs. transit use) led to synergistic insights that benefited both studies. The number of senior communities is on the rise in California and residents in these types of communities may have distinct travel patterns and needs.

The first study was a Toyota Motor Corporation funded project that explores seniors’ driving behavior with a series of focus groups that specifically address issues related to driving impediments and safety concerns. The findings led to recommendations for potential vehicle design solutions.

In the second study, funded by the Mineta Institute and Caltrans, IMR researchers created a transit training video using principles of social learning and marketing theory to educate residents of Rossmoor about navigating the local transit system. Through an extensive literature review and focus groups at Rossmoor, researchers were able to create a video specific to the Rossmoor community that addressed potential and perceived barriers to transit use. The video features members of the community successfully navigating transit to travel to three destinations: Downtown Walnut Creek, Walnut Creek BART, and John Muir Medical Center. The video also educated members about where to acquire transit information, costs, and payment.

As part of the study, researchers conducted several survey sessions before and after showing the video to evaluate the effectiveness of the video in addressing concerns of the targeted population. The study yielded information about travel patterns and behaviors, preferences, constraints, and concerns that older people may face. Some findings of the research included:

-Most participants indicated that transit travel time, lack of door-to-door service, and transfers are significant barriers to transit use; as a result, the most popular improvements are frequent schedules, better connections, and direct routes.

-After viewing the video, respondents indicated a significant and positive change in transit use to the specific destinations portrayed in the video; however, results are mixed for transit travel to more general destinations that are not explicitly portrayed in the video.

-The video also educated viewers about a broader range of information sources, such as the Internet and 511.org. After viewing the video, respondents indicated a significant and positive change in their future stated use of these information sources.

View the transit training video here.

Learn More

Department of Human and Health Services Administration on Aging (AOA)

http://www.aoa.gov/prof/transportation/transportation.asp

AOA Fact Sheet

American Association of Retired Persons

http://www.aarp.org/

AARP Report: http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/fs51r_drivers.pdf

AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) Reports:

Coordinated Transportation Systems

The Impact of Federal Programs on Transportation for Older Adults

Community Transportation Survey

Community Mobility Options: The Older Person’s Interest

National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA)