Addressing Elderly Mobility Issues in Wisconsin

Bittner, Jason; Fuchs, Patrick; Baird, Tim; Smith, Adam · 2011 · ROSA P / Wisconsin. Dept. of Transportation

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Summary

This report addresses the impending mobility crisis in Wisconsin driven by the rapid aging of the baby boomer generation. From 2010 to 2035, the state’s elderly population is projected to grow by 90 percent, with residents aged 65 and older comprising nearly a quarter of the total population. The research highlights a critical tension: while over 90 percent of trips taken by elderly residents involve personally-owned vehicles, aging-related declines in visual, cognitive, and psychomotor skills increase crash risks. Consequently, when elderly drivers cease driving due to safety concerns, they face significant social isolation and reduced access to medical services. The study aims to evaluate Wisconsin’s current transportation infrastructure, licensing practices, and transit programs to provide the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) with actionable recommendations for managing these demographic shifts. The research team employed a five-task methodology to analyze the issue. First, they reviewed existing state and local government programs, including driver licensing policies, roadway design protocols, and specialized transit initiatives. Second, they conducted a demographic analysis of state and county-level population projections. Third, they gathered direct input from elderly residents through a large-scale survey yielding 4,099 responses and 16 focus groups held across diverse geographic areas, including rural and tribal communities. Fourth, the team reviewed national and international best practices in licensing, education, vehicle adaptation, and alternative mobility. Finally, they synthesized these findings to formulate policy recommendations that account for fiscal and jurisdictional constraints. Key findings reveal that Wisconsin’s current systems are fragmented and often insufficient for the scale of upcoming demographic changes. The review identified common themes such as staffing and funding shortages, technical capacity limitations, and challenges in coordinating services among various agencies. While WisDOT offers informational resources and a Medical Review Unit for reporting at-risk drivers, the report notes gaps in proactive outreach and the lack of mandatory reporting requirements for medical professionals. The survey and focus group data highlighted specific transportation habits, needs, and satisfaction levels among older Wisconsinites, emphasizing the reliance on personal vehicles and the difficulties faced when driving is no longer viable. The significance of this report lies in its comprehensive set of recommendations designed to enhance elderly mobility and safety. The authors propose structural changes within WisDOT to better address older residents’ needs, including improved education and outreach programs. Specific recommendations include adopting best practices for driver licensing, such as utilizing license restrictions rather than cancellations and employing low-cost screening interventions. The report also advocates for roadway design enhancements tailored to older drivers, the promotion of vehicle adaptation technologies, and the development of robust alternative mobility options, including demand-response transit and volunteer driver programs. By integrating these strategies, the study seeks to ensure that Wisconsin’s transportation system remains accessible and safe for its growing elderly population.

Key finding

Personally-owned vehicles account for over 90 percent of trips taken by elderly residents, making driver safety and alternative mobility options critical for maintaining independence.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Sample size: 4099

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• older driver retraining