Transportation

The following pages provide resources on current research and findings in the field of transportation and the elderly.

Research & Data Sub Navigation:

• AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Senior Transportation Website
  This website, maintained by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, has information for providers and researchers about transportation and the elderly. There are details to assist in setting up community transportation for seniors as well as access to research and other resources regarding senior transportation.
  
  
• AARP Transportation Research (Public Policy Institute)
  The AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI), established in 1985, conducts policy research and analysis on issues relevant to seniors in the United States. The main areas of concern are economics, health, independent living/long-term care, and consumer issues. The website contains information regarding research and reports on public policy issues, technical assistance/expert consultation, and public representation. This site provides access to several reports on senior transportation including research on coordinated transportation systems, analysis of consumer surveys, and more. To retrieve these reports, type “transportation” into the search field.
  
  
• AoA’s Performance Outcomes Measurement Project
  The Administration on Aging (AoA) has developed performance measures for state and community programs under the Older American Act (OAA) in partnership with the State Units on Aging and the Area Agencies on Aging. This initiative, also known as Performance Outcomes Measures Project (POMP), allows AoA to fulfill the accountability conditions of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Through annual performance reports, AoA is able to assess its progress in meeting its own objectives. Among the many areas of evaluation, AoA employs transportation surveys which measure clients’ satisfaction with transportation services. This website contains access to current surveys on this and other topics as well as archived data from previous assessments.
  
  
• National Older Drivers Research and Development Center
  The National Older Drivers Research and Development Center, funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, involves several partners such as the University of Florida Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Technology for Successful Aging, the Florida At-Risk Driver Council, and the University of Central Florida. The Center, which is currently in the process of being established, will conduct research and development on elderly drivers and will also provide driving skills assessment services, remediation and/or referral services, and a professional training program in older driver assessment and remediation. In addition, there will be access to a Virtual Resource Center Website which will contain a county-by-county listing of transportation alternatives in Florida in addition to other resources related to driving.
  
  
• Profile of Older Americans
  The Profile of Older Americans, compiled by the Administration on Aging, contains current statistics on older Americans in several key subject areas (future population growth, marital status, living arrangements, racial and ethnic composition, geographic distribution, income, poverty, housing, employment, education, and health/healthcare/disability). There are narrative sections as well as charts, and in addition, this page contains access to special topics and profiles from earlier years.
  
  
• State Program Reports (SPR)
  The Administration on Aging compiles data to improve performance reporting on programs and services funded under the Older Americans Act (OAA). The National Aging Program Information System (NAPIS) serves as a source for this performance and descriptive data. The State Program Reports (SPR) include population data, service profiles, and information on clients and staff for each state/district/territory. The website also contains information from the SPRs of previous years.
  
  
• The Beverly Foundation
  The Beverly Foundation provides assistance and information to help seniors lead meaningful and productive lives. The Foundation offers technical assistance and information to professionals, non-professionals and families. The Foundation conducts qualitative and quantitative research in several areas including senior mobility and transportation issues. Contained on this website is information describing the Foundations publications and reports on senior transportation. These reports include Transportation in an Aging Society Focus Group Project, Community Effectiveness in Safeguarding At-Risk Senior Drivers, Teen and Senior Drivers, Senior Drivers on the Alert: A Guide to Information and Services in Greater Pasadena, Supplemental Transportation Programs for Seniors, and more.
  
  
• Transportation Research Board (TRB)
  The Transportation Research Board (TRB) which is run by the National Research Council, part of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering, aim to improve transportation by conducting research, disseminating findings, and encouraging the implementation of these findings. The website contains information on TRB publications and programs, on industry partners, and on various relevant contacts. Relevant publications include details on driver education and regulation, and improving public transportation for the elderly.
  
  
• U.S. Census data on seniors
  The U.S. Census data brings together information from censuses, estimates, surveys, and projections at the national, state, and local levels. This particular website also offers details on the baby boomer, older (55+), and elderly (65+) populations.
  
  
• U.S. General Accounting Office’s Report on Transportation- Disadvantaged Populations (PDF)
  The United States General Accounting Office reviewed sixty-two federal programs for the transportation-disadvantaged population and assessed strengths and weaknesses in coordination among the various programs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funds twenty-three of these programs. The Administration on Aging supports two of these programs, the Grants for Supportive Services and Senior Centers and the Program for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Elders. This report contains this analysis along with the U.S. GAO’s recommendations on means to improve coordination.
  
  
• “Developing Coordinated Transportation Systems for Older Persons: The Leadership Role of State Units on Aging"