Use of Volunteers in the Transportation of Elderly and Handicapped Persons

NHTSA · 1984 · ROSA P / United States. Urban Mass Transportation Administration

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Summary

This 1984 report, prepared by Del Green Associates for the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA), analyzes the organizational structure, operational characteristics, and volunteer demographics of thirteen volunteer transportation programs serving elderly and disabled persons across the United States. The study was motivated by the growing recognition that elderly and disabled individuals have special transportation needs essential for independent living, a demand expected to rise with demographic shifts toward an older population. The report aims to describe how these programs operate, identify their clientele and volunteer bases, and offer recommendations for enhancing private sector support. The research methodology involved a descriptive analysis of thirteen specific programs located in states including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Washington, and Wisconsin. The authors reviewed program operations, interviewed stakeholders, and analyzed data regarding service delivery, volunteer recruitment, and organizational affiliations. The report notes that the statistics presented are descriptive of the analyzed programs rather than derived from scientific sampling methods. Key findings indicate that most programs are organized as nonprofit corporations or governmental units, often affiliated with larger organizations like the American Red Cross or local human services agencies to gain operational support, such as liability insurance and accounting services. These programs primarily provide transportation to medical facilities, senior centers, nutrition sites, and for shopping or employment, with services typically available Monday through Friday requiring 24-hour advance notice. The majority of clients are over age 60, with a significant portion being low-income elderly females. Volunteers are predominantly male (65%), retired (68%), and Caucasian (96%), motivated largely by personal satisfaction and a desire to help others. Most volunteers drive their own vehicles, receiving mileage reimbursement, while programs secure excess liability insurance to cover risks beyond personal policies. The report concludes with recommendations to increase private sector involvement, suggesting that corporations could sponsor vehicles through "Adopt-a-Van" programs, provide employee release time for volunteering, donate maintenance facilities, or assist in recruitment via payroll envelopes and retired employee associations. Additional recommendations include enhancing driver safety through defensive driving classes and routine vehicle inspections, as well as improving volunteer morale through formal recognition and awards. The study underscores the critical role of volunteer transportation in complementing public transit systems and the necessity of sustained community and corporate support to maintain these services.

Key finding

Volunteer transportation programs primarily serve elderly clients for medical purposes, rely on retired male drivers using personal vehicles, and are predominantly organized as non-profit entities.

Methodology

dataset

Sample size: 13

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