A report on aging populations and how their transportation needs are not being met

Traffic fatalities among older drivers remain disproportionately high; as baby boomers begin to turn 65, U.S. Transportation System Insufficient to Meet Their Growing Mobility and Safety Needs

Reblogged from Full Text Reports...:

Traffic fatalities among older drivers remain disproportionately high; as baby boomers begin to turn 65, U.S. Transportation System Insufficient to Meet Their Growing Mobility and Safety Needs (PDF)
Source: TRIP
As the Baby Boom Generation begins to turn 65, the number of older Americans and their share of the overall population will swell dramatically. But, according to a new report, although these older Americans will be more mobile and active than any previous generation, they will face a transportation system that is inadequate to offer the mobility and safety demanded by older Americans and the population in general.

Read more… 111 more words

There's no doubt the US population is increasingly aging*.  Transportation needs change as people age. For example, elderly people often are unable to drive vehicles and rely more on public transportation. Often public transportation does not fit their needs or is nonexistent where they live. This may lead to health needs not being addressed as they find they cannot easily get to health care provider offices and other places which meet their health and health related needs (as nutritious food). The report...

• Keeping Baby Boomers Mobile : Preserving the Mobility and Safety of Older Americans (February 2012) includes the following observations
  • While traffic fatalities have dramatically decreased in recent years, older Americans make up a disproportionally high share of fatal vehicle crashes. Certain situations and hazards are more challenging for older Americans.I
  • While older Americans overwhelmingly use private vehicles, public transportation options can be improved for all Americans
  • Improved transportation options could include expanded public transportation, ride sharing, volunteer drivers, and door-to-door community transportation services.

*From Older Americans Month- May 2011 [Profile American Facts and Features, US Census Dept]

39.6 million - The number of people 65 and older in the United States on July 1, 2009. This age group accounted for 13 percent of the total population. Between 2008 and 2009, this age group increased by 770,699 people. Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/NC-EST2009-sa.html>

88.5 million -Projected population of people 65 and older in 2050. People in this age group would comprise 20 percent of the total population at that time. Source: Population projections <http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/summarytables.html>

http://fulltextreports.com/2012/02/23/ca-stranded-in-suburbia-planning-for-aging-populations/

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