Project Number:
00-8
Research Project:
Travel Patterns of the Elderly
P.I. Name & Address:
Genevieve Giuliano
School of Policy, Planning, and Development
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0626
Tel:(213) 740-3956
Fax:(213) 740-6170
Email: giuliano@rcf.usc.edu
Project Objective:
The research has the following objectives:
1.Document and describe travel patterns of the elderly.
2.Explain travel patterns as a function of age, household and individual characteristics, residential locations, and attitudes.
3.Explore public transportation service alternatives that better address the travel patterns of the elderly.
Project Abstract:
The rapid growth of the elderly population is creating special transportation challenges.People who are reaching retirement age have been drivers throughout their adult lives.The majority live in suburbs or rural areas, where the car is essential to mobility.With aging comes the loss of physical capabilities.Eventually, many of the elderly will no longer be able to drive. Available evidence suggests that the elderly hold on to their cars as long as possible in order to retain their mobility.They do not rely more heavily on public transit.Indeed, the elderly use public transit less than the non-elderly.The purpose of this project is to determine whether public transportation may play a larger role in serving the travel demands of the elderly in the future.We define public transportation broadly to include all forms of collective, for hire transportation.Based on actual travel patterns of the elderly, we evaluate various service options.
Task Descriptions:
1.Literature Review 08/01/00 - 10/01/00
2.Research Approach 10/01/00 - 12/01/00
3.Data Preparation 12/01/00 - 01/01/01
4.Data Analysis 01/01/01 - 04/01/01
5.Research Results 03/01/01 - 06/01/01
6.Policy Implications 05/01/01 - 06/01/01
7.Final Report 06/01/01 - 07/31/01
Milestones, Dates:
Final report by 7/31/01
Yearly Budget:
$46,251
Total Budget:
$46,251
Student Involvement:
One Graduate Research Assistant, 9 months @ 50% Effort
One Graduate Research Assistant, 2 months @ 28% Effort
Relationship to Other Research Projects:
Project falls in the Transit focus area.
Project presents follow-up work on transit needs from 99-11.
Technology Transfer Activities:
Project report will be posted on METRANS web site, and distributed to interested parties.
Potential Benefits of the Project:
Enhanced mobility for the elderly population.
TRB Keywords:
Elderly persons, Traveler Behavior, Transit
Primary Subject:
Transportation Planning, Economics, and Institutional Issues
Goals:
Human and Natural Environment
Enabling Research:
Human Performance and Behavior
Modal Orientation:
Transit
