The future of transport in an ageing society

18th June 2015

This event is kindly supported by Age UK

#FutureofTransport

The Future of Transport in an Ageing Society

Welcome

Baroness Sally GreengrossChief Executive

ILC-UK


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Helen CreightonPolicy and Research Officer

ILC-UK


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Travel is beneficial to wellbeing

• Reduces social isolation • Physical exercise• Benefits to the local economy

The car remains the most common mode of transport for people aged 70 and over

People over 70 make on average 315 trips per year driving a car and 162 trips as a passenger in a car. This compares to just 140 trips on foot.

But we cannot rely on the car…

• Not everyone can drive• Cars are expensive to run• Health problems force some older people to

stop driving• There are more ecological transport options

…yet public transport doesn’t meet older people’s needs either

Despite free bus travel, one third of over 65s in England never use public transport. And over half either never use public transport or use it

less than once a month.

Public Transport fails the oldest old

Among the over 80s less than 55% report finding it easy to travel to a hospital, a supermarket or a

post office.

Public Transport fails to get people to health services

1.45 million over 65s find it quite difficult or very difficult to travel to a hospital, whilst 630,000 over 65s find it difficult or

very difficult to travel to their GP.

Ease of travelling to see GP among those 65 and over

Average Age

Proportion in fair or poor Health

Average weekly household

Income

Proportion with a

Free Bus Pass

Very easy 72.4 22.0% £526 87.6%

Quite easy 74.4 36.2% £470 85.9%

Quite difficult 77.7 60.7% £355 82.6%

Very difficult 80.0 71.1% £313 69.1%

Unable to go 85.5 68.6% £336 48.0%Source: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and author’s calculations

Public Transport fails older people in rural areas

Just 20% of those aged 70-74 living in rural areas use public transport weekly, compared to 38% of

those who live in an urban setting.

Reasons cited by the over 65s for not using public transport in 2012-13

Fear of crime

Too dirty

Too expensive

Unreliable

Prefer to walk

Difficulties with mobility

Their health prevents them

Infrequent

None is available

Does not go where they want

Not convenient

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Urban RuralSource: English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

How can we improve older people’s travel options?

• Making it easier to continue driving• Improving public transport• Facilitating active travel

Three key opportunities

1. Technology2. Localised decision making3. Volunteering

1. Technology

• Driverless cars and assistive technology

• Apps to coordinate peer to peer transport provision

2. Localised Decision Making

• Greater flexibility and integration through devolution

• Age friendly infrastructure - design of road networks, cycle lanes, safe crossings, level pavements, and the location of amenities and services.

3. Volunteering

• Active travellers

• Community car schemes

Charles MusselwhiteAssociate ProfessorSwansea University


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Providing for fun for functional mobility in later life

Dr Charles MusselwhiteAssociate Professor

Centre for Innovative AgeingSwansea University

[email protected]

Report Launch: The Future of Transport in an Ageing SocietyThursday 18th June 2015; 15:00 - 17:00;

Committee Room G, The House of Lords, Westminster, London

• Contents– Background: Needs– Methods– Findings– Solutions

• Spaces• Services

– Conclusion

Background: Needs

Needs for mobility

PRIMARY MOBILITY NEEDSPractical/utilitarian Needs

e.g. get from A to B as safely, reliably, cheaply and comfortably as possible.

SECONDARY MOBILITY NEEDSSocial/affective Needs

e.g. The need for independence, control, to be seen as normal.Linked to status, roles, identity, self-esteem. Impression management

TERTIARY MOBILITY NEEDSAesthetic Needs

e.g. The need for the journey itself, for relaxation, visit nature.No explicit purpose.

(Musselwhite, C. and Haddad, H. 2010)

The need for discretionary

travel

End product is discretionary

The journey itself is discretionary

View Intrinsic Third space

and

“I have no social life since my widowhood ... and would like reasonable transport evenings to go out to theatre, or dances,... or going to pub to meet friends and socialise” (Parkurst et al., 2014; GAPL)

“I have friends in the village who it would be nice to have lunch with sometime and none of us has a car and we are too far away to walk to and far too expensive to get a taxi... so all we can do is phone each other” (Parkhurst, et al., 2014; GAPL)

End product is discretionary

“Until I moved into my [retirement] flat, I loved looking at my garden, how it changes throughout the seasons. With my car, at least, I can still visit parks and the forest regularly to watch them change” (Female, driver, aged 78) (Musselwhite and Haddad, 2007, 2010; SPARC)

“We go down to the coast regularly to see the sea. I love being by the sea. We couldn’t do it if we didn’t have a car.” (Male, driver, aged 80) (Musselwhite and Haddad, 2007, 2010; SPARC)

“Sometimes I take the long way round to drive past the forest and see the trees, especially in Autumn” (Male, driver, aged 75) (Musselwhite and Haddad, 2008; 2010; SPARC)

“The bus doesn’t really go where you would want. The route isn’t pretty. It just does the houses and the shops. The views are ordinary” (Female, gave-up driving at 80) (Musselwhite & Haddad, 2008; 2010; SPARC)


View

“That’s what the car does you see. Takes you where you don’t need to go, you see. And for me that’s life”. (male, driver, interview)

(Musselwhite & Haddad, 2010; SPARC)

“Driving allowed me to go where and when I wanted to, even if that was just for a drive about. We can’t do that now.” (Male, gave-up driving at 72) (Musselwhite & Haddad, 2007; SPARC)

“[on the bus] and he said “it’s different up here you can see …. get a good view and see the world go by ….. Is sort of relaxing “(Female)(Calcraft et al., 2015;Driving Hands)


Intrinsic

“I enjoy being on the buses with other people, it’s a social thing... there’s always somebody I know on the buses...whereas driving is a little more enclosed personal thing.” (Female, Powys, aged in 70s) (Shergold et al., 2012; GAPL)

“I enjoy going on the bus to the shops. They are fun. You get to go out, see people, chat to people, see the world going round” (female, gave-up driving at 72)(Musselwhite & Shergold, 2013; GuD)


Third space

Solutions

Walking

SPACES

• Outdoor environments to support walkingFunctional Fun

Accessible space-Benches-Toilets-Well lit & maintained-Clear safe space from traffic

Attractive spaces-Fountains-Trees/greenery

Desirable spaces-Aesthetics-Prospect/refuge-Mystery/intrigue-Playful spaces

• Interchange: Walking/bus (or public transport)Functional Fun

Accessible space-Seating-Shelter-Real-time information-Level kerb onto bus-Bins

Attractive spaces-Quality

Desirable spaces-Aesthetics-Sense of place-Playful spaces

• Crossings: Pedestrian/vehicleFunctional Fun

Accessible space-Enough time to cross-Appropriate kerb height-Confidence vehicles will stop- Confidence pedestrian has the crossing

Attractive spacesBetter information and signageShorter waiting time prior to crossingCountdown to cross

Desirable spaces-Aesthetics-Playful spaces (Street Pong)-Pedestrian priority

Services and technologies

• Support for drivingFunctional Fun

Accessible serviceDriver skills trainingCognitive screening and training

Attractive serviceAdvanced Vehicle Control and Safety Systems

Desirable service-Driverless vehicles-More on-demand services, sharing services for better provision-Independent Transport Network

• Community transportFunctional Fun

Accessible serviceProvision for primary servicesComfortable and accessibleHelpful and supportive

Attractive serviceDays out just for fun!Bus as a third space

Desirable service-Aesthetics – improve bus looks-More on-demand services, sharing services for better provision-Independent Transport Network

• Other mobility technologiesFunctional Fun

Accessible serviceCyclingMobility scooters

Attractive serviceCycling (support and education)Mobility scooters (training and advice) Desirable service

Electric bikes (cheaper and lighter)Hybrid scooter – carsWhat else?

• Things we’re getting wrong

Conclusion

• Remember transport isn’t just functional...

• Yet in making spaces and services fun you improve the functionality

• Wider social benefits than economics

• Different models for local transport needed

• Listen more to what older people want – involvement in decision making.

• Look at innovations from users themselves

• Let’s get it right.

• References• Calcraft, M. J., Fox, R., Musselwhite, C., Swinkels, A., Young, S and Turton, P. (2014). An investigation of factors

influencing the resumption of driving by patients with one forearm immobilised in a below-elbow cast. A report for the British Association of Hand Therapists. University of the West of England and North Bristol NHS Trust.

• Musselwhite, C. (2011) Successfully giving up driving for older people. Discussion Paper. International Longevity Centre - UK

• Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2010). The role of education and training in helping older people to travel after the cessation of driving International Journal of Education and Ageing 1(2) , 197-212 ISSN 2044-5458

• Musselwhite, C. and Haddad, H. (2010). Mobility, accessibility and quality of later life. Quality in Ageing and Older Adults. 11(1), 25-37.

• Musselwhite, C. and Haddad, H. (2008). Prolonging safe driving through technology. Final Report. UWE research report

• Parkhurst, G., Galvin, K., Musselwhite, C., Phillips, J., Shergold, I., Todres L. (2014). Beyond Transport: Understanding the Role of Mobilities in Connecting Rural Elders in Civic Society in Hennesey, C., Means, R., Burholt, V., (Eds). Countryside Connections: Older people, Community and Place in Rural Britain. Policy Press, Bristol.

• Shergold, I., Parkhurst, G., Musselwhite, C., (2012). Rural car dependence:an emerging barrier to community activity for older people? Transport Planning & Tech.,35 (1), 69-85

Bill Freeman Chief Executive

The Community Transport Association


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Jane VassHead of Public Policy

Age UK


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Panel Debate and Q&A


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18th June 2015

This event is kindly supported by AgeUK

#FutureofTransport

The Future of Transport in an Ageing Society

The future of transport in an ageing society

Presentations & Public Speaking

Transcript of The future of transport in an ageing society