Title

Evaluating processes and outcomes of age-friendly guidelines for public buses: phase 1

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

2007

Subject Area

Mobility - Mobility impaired, Modes of Transport - Bus, Population - Elderly, Transport planning - Demographics

Abstract

Age-friendly guidelines offer principles for overcoming environmental, attitudinal, physical and social barriers to the optimal participation of older people in society. The aim of this project is to develop age-friendly guidelines as a method of promoting social inclusion for older people. Because of the pivotal role that transport plays in enhancing the mobility and in turn the quality of life of older people, public buses will be used as a case study for developing and evaluating age-friendly guidelines. Data from the first phase of the project will be presented. The data stems from two sites (a coastal town and a large metropolitan city) in Queensland, Australia. Nominal Group Technique (NGT) data from 231 people 60 years and over across both sites will be presented. Barriers and facilitators to using buses were explored in these groups and participants were subsequently observed using the bus system using ethnographic methodology. Core environmental factors identified include information, prior experience, pedestrian crossings and safety, bus stop location and shelters, signage, entry / exit, drivers, ticketing, scheduling, seats and others on the bus. These, and other, factors will be described and discussed.