Improving transportation for a maturing society

Abstract

This document begins with the demographic setting by which future transportation problems\nmust be viewed. It includes a detailed description of the aging process and the medical issues\nwhich should be of concern for older adults in all modes. It then reviews the issue of safety,\nincluding crash involvement of older operators, and the risk management systems that have\nevolved in each commercial mode. The next section moves into the area of lifelong mobility,\nand examines what can be done to keep older adults safely mobile, including the provision of\nnon-driver alternatives, countermeasures for the fragility of older adults, and what can be done\nwith new technology to add to the years over which older adults can continue to operate\nindependently and safely. There are unsafe drivers in all age categories, and the report details the\nprograms to identify and evaluate the problems particular to older drivers, and what can be done\nto help them. The report also discusses such issues as mobility and the quality of life, and\npersonal security.\n