An investigation into the factors affecting urban travel needs in later life

Luiu, Carlo (2019). An investigation into the factors affecting urban travel needs in later life. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

Preview

Luiu2019PhD.pdf
Text - Accepted Version
Available under License All rights reserved.
Download (4MB) | Preview

Abstract

As the population in Western countries becomes older, providing transportation able to meet travel needs during later life will become more challenging, especially due to the heterogeneity characterising older people (identified as those aged 60 years old and above). Given the importance between the ability to be mobile and use transportation with individuals’ wellbeing, this doctoral research aims at investigating which are the factors influencing travel needs during later life, with a focus at the English urban context. A mixed method approach of quantitative and qualitative data is employed to analyse first travel behaviour and changes over time according to an age, period and cohort analysis. Then, a framework is developed to assess which factors have to be considered when investigating travel needs during later life. A survey is undertaken to deploy the framework, with a focus on both realised and unfulfilled mobility. The resultsfrom the age, period and cohort analysis indicate that older people have been travelling more in terms of trip frequency and distance, particularly by car. Age effects are shown in all the six aspects analysed (trip frequency, distance travelled, mode share, travel purpose, access to the car and driving licence), stressing the fact that mobility decreases while ageing, with 80 years old as turning point in this sense. Similarly, cohort effects are found regarding the two Baby Boom groups, highlighting how the newer generations of older people differ from their older counterparts. Gender differences in travel patterns seems also to be reducing by time, with older women showing converging trends. Health and wellbeing conditions and access to the car, particularly driving a car, were found to be in the survey the two main factors affecting travel needs’ fulfilment with regard to both realised mobility and unmet travel needs. Around onethird of the respondents reported the need to undertake more out-of-home activities than they do, particularly older women. Activities reported more in this sense were those related to the discretionary domain such as visiting other people and undertaking social and leisure iii activities. This was found particularly true for those suffering health impairments and lack of availability of transport options.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):