Public and Private Policy Initiatives to Move Seniors Forward

Surveys find that older persons consistently and overwhelmingly express their intent to meet their own personal mobility needs with private vehicles. This article critically examines policies for managing resources in two complementary areas: making changes to the infrastructure to accommodate an aging society; and implementing alternative transportation that seniors will actually want to use. The authors stress that loss of independent mobility, with its attendant social isolation, is one of the strongest predictors of declining health among older persons. They describe the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) program of education and outreach, including its Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians (2001) which recommends changes in signs, pavement markings, and the layout of traffic lanes and intersections. These changes would benefit all drivers, not just older ones. The authors also discuss relevant research, including that undertaken by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; screening for minimum level of functional ability to maintain unrestricted driving privileges; increasing resources for infrastructure improvements; funding transportation needs of older citizens; federal policy for senior transportation; and private alternatives to supplement public transportation and the public policies that support it. The authors conclude that with a little creativity and an open mind to private resources and private solutions, the wealth of consumer dollars for senior transportation opens to policy makers.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/10553037
• Authors:
  • Staplin, Loren
  • Freund, Katherine
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: pp 1, 3-5
• Serial:
  • Public Policy & Aging Report
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: National Academy on an Aging Society
  • ISSN: 1055-3037

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Aging (Biology); Automobile driving; Costs; Government funding; Infrastructure; Mobility; Policy, legislation and regulation; Public transit; Traffic signals
• Identifier Terms: U.S. Federal Highway Administration; U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Subject Areas: Environment; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01002408
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 28 2005 7:49AM