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Walking to the Bus: Perceived Versus Actual Walking Distance to Bus Stops for Older Adults

Senior adults often walk slowly or experience declining physical mobility, making access to fixed-route transit a challenge. This study uses survey data from adults over the age of 60 to investigate the relationship between transit ridership and proximity to fixed-route transit stations. Data was collected in two New York areas, Buffalo and Erie County. Findings show that demographic and socio-economic characteristics did not show statistically significant differences for transit riders versus non-transit riders. Features of the built environment—including distance (actual and perceived) between home and transit stop, population density, neighborhood crime rate, transit service level, number of street intersections and metropolitan location did show statistically significant differences for transit riders versus non-transit riders. Statistically significant differences between transit riders and non-transit riders were found for both objective and perceived walking distances to access fixed-route transit routes. Average walking distance between home and the nearest transit stop was three times less for transit riders than non-transit riders. Non-transit riders underestimated the distance from the nearest bus stop to their home, while most transit riders slightly overestimated the actual distance. These findings suggest that transit travel training and signage that indicates walking distance or duration to transit stops might facilitate the use of transit for older adults.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: pp 247-266
  • Monograph Title: Airport Privatization: Issues and Options for Congress

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01376146
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: Jul 23 2012 9:11AM