Developing Strategies to Enhance Mobility and Accessibility for Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Hyun, Kate; Lee, Kathy; Krejci, Caroline; Gibson, Nilufer Oran; Saha, Troyee · 2021 · ROSA P / National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC)

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Summary

This study addresses the critical issue of mobility disparities among community-dwelling older adults, particularly those with low incomes, who face significant barriers to accessing essential services and maintaining independence. Motivated by the growing aging population and the inadequacy of existing transportation policies to meet the diverse needs of this demographic, the research aims to identify specific challenges, gaps, and barriers in mobility. The project seeks to develop targeted assistance and educational strategies to enhance accessibility and promote social equity in transportation. The researchers employed a mixed-methods approach involving data collection from 146 low-income older adults in Dallas, Texas, through surveys and in-depth interviews. The study utilized two primary mathematical modeling techniques: Latent Class Cluster Analysis (LCCA) to understand mode choice decisions and socioeconomic characteristics, and Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) to simulate individual behaviors and predict the impact of policy interventions. Additionally, the team developed three primary personas representing the most vulnerable non-driving older adults to map their specific needs against available transportation options, including public transit, paratransit, ride-hailing, and informal rides. Qualitative content analysis was also conducted to explore resilience factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings reveal that no single existing transportation option fully meets the mobility needs of low-income older adults. The LCCA identified three distinct clusters of users, highlighting varied barriers such as cost, technology access, and safety concerns. During the pandemic, both drivers and non-drivers reduced trip frequencies and increasingly relied on family and friends for essential needs. Notably, older adults developed a fear of using public transit and paratransit due to concerns over social distancing compliance by other passengers. Conversely, there was a noticeable shift toward adopting ride-hailing services, which some preferred over public transit. While perceptual and knowledge barriers to ride-hailing adoption decreased, financial and technological barriers remained significant impediments. The significance of this research lies in its provision of actionable strategies for policymakers to enhance mobility and social equity for transportation-disadvantaged populations. By identifying specific barriers and simulating the effects of potential interventions, the study offers evidence-based recommendations for improving transportation education, technology training, and age-friendly guidelines. The findings underscore the need for tailored solutions that address the heterogeneous needs of older adults, particularly in reducing reliance on informal networks and increasing the accessibility and affordability of emerging mobility options like ride-hailing. This work contributes to the field by integrating behavioral modeling with simulation tools to predict and improve mobility outcomes for vulnerable older adults.

Key finding

Existing transportation options do not fully meet the mobility needs of low-income older adults, and while ride-hailing adoption increased during the pandemic, financial and technological barriers remain significant obstacles.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Sample size: 146

Provenance

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

Topics

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• older drivers