Wisconsin Non-Driver Transportation Behavior Study
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Summary
This study addresses the transportation challenges faced by non-drivers in Wisconsin, a demographic comprising approximately 31% of the state’s population. This group includes aging adults, individuals with disabilities, low-income residents, and those without vehicle access. The research was motivated by the projected growth of the aging population and the significant mobility barriers prevalent in rural areas, which contribute to social isolation and limited access to essential services. The study aimed to understand the transportation needs, behaviors, and challenges of non-drivers and their support networks, termed "non-driver-adjacent" individuals, who often provide rides or assistance. The researchers conducted a statewide survey to collect a representative sample of Wisconsin’s population. The study gathered responses from 1,268 participants, including 505 non-drivers and 763 non-driver-adjacent individuals. The survey design considered major demographic breakdowns and utilized statistically valid methods. Data analysis focused on socioeconomic characteristics, reasons for not driving, modes of transportation used, travel frequency, and satisfaction with various transportation options. The study also employed latent class analysis to identify distinct patterns in transportation behavior and preferences among the surveyed groups. Key findings identified three primary barriers to driving: lack of a driver’s license (33% of respondents, often due to financial constraints), vehicle-related costs such as insurance and maintenance (28%), and disabilities including physical, mental, and age-related conditions (23%). While family-provided rides were highly rated for satisfaction (72%), they were limited by scheduling conflicts. Public transit and paratransit services received lower satisfaction scores due to limited availability, particularly in rural areas, long travel times, and indirect routes. Ride-hailing services were deemed unaffordable for daily use by most respondents. Additionally, inadequate pedestrian infrastructure and weather conditions hindered active transportation options like walking and cycling. The study concludes with actionable recommendations to improve mobility and equity for non-drivers. Prioritized strategies include expanding public transit coverage and frequency in rural and underserved urban areas, enhancing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and introducing affordable, community-based ridesharing programs. The authors also recommend implementing financial subsidies for low-income individuals and leveraging technology for real-time transit tracking and improved paratransit scheduling. These findings provide a foundation for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and other policymakers to develop inclusive, sustainable transportation systems that reduce social isolation and ensure equitable access to services for vulnerable populations.
Key finding
Non-drivers in Wisconsin face significant mobility barriers driven by vehicle costs, licensing issues, and disabilities, with rural areas experiencing the greatest service gaps despite high satisfaction with informal family-provided rides.
Methodology
survey
Sample size: 1268
Provenance
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| Stage | Outcome | Tool | Model | Prompt | Attempts | Completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| discover | success | rosap | — | — | 2 | 2026-05-23 |
| archive | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-05-23 |
| extract | success | cached | — | — | 2 | 2026-06-10 |
| clean | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-01 |
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| embed | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-02 |
| enrich | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-05-23 |
| promote | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-05-23 |
| summarize | success | llm | qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant | summ-v5 | 3 | 2026-06-10 |
| tag | success | vector_similarity | — | — | 24 | 2026-06-11 |
| verify | success | — | — | — | 2 | 2026-06-10 |
Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.
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- Empirical Findings: observational prevalence