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Transportation’s Role in Livable Communities Jana Lynott, AICP Senior Policy Advisor AARP Public Policy Institute Definitions of Livable Communities Provide & promote civic engagement and a sense of place through Safe, sustainable choices for a variety of elements that include ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ housing, transportation, Education, cultural diversity and enrichment and recreation. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Definitions of Livable Communities Provide affordable, appropriate, accessible housing Ensure accessible, affordable, reliable, safe transportation Adjust the physical environment for inclusiveness and accessibility Provide work, volunteer, and education opportunities Ensure access to key health and support services Encourage participation in civic, cultural, social, and recreational activities National Council on Disability Definitions of Livable Communities Safe Affordable and appropriate housing, Supportive community features and services, Adequate mobility options, Which together facilitate personal independence and the engagement of residents in civic and social life. AARP Livable Communities Mobility: Americans 50+ are able to sustain mobility as they age Photo by Jana Lynott Housing: Americans 50+ have appropriate and affordable housing options Photo by Jana Lynott Our population is growing … and growing older 65+ Share of Total Population Year 65+ Population Total Population 2000 34,992,000 281,421,906 12% 2010 40,229,000 310,233,000 13% 2030 72,092,000 373,504,000 19% 2050 88,547,000 439,010,000 20% Source: U.S Census Bureau - Census projections as of 8/2008 “What I’d really like to do is remain in my local community for as long as possible.” Source: AARP State of 50+ America Survey, October 2005 Age category: 50+ Base=910 Some Indicators of Concern Older population increasingly resides in suburban areas not well served by public transportation and where the auto is king More than 1 in 5 Americans age 65 and older do not drive. Of these non-drivers, more than 50% (or 3.6 million Americans) stay home on a given day, partially because they lack transportation options Transit use among older adults has been declining for decades In 2008, more than 800 pedestrians age 65+ were hit and killed by motor vehicles, another 7,000 injured. Older adults are disproportionately represented in fatal accidents 8 involving pedestrians Percent of 50+ respondents rating community feature “D” or “F” Well-designed and maintained streets Transportation alternatives for people with disabilities or health problems Sidewalks going to where you want to go Walking or bike trails within half-mile of home Dependable public transportation 13% 20% 31% 35% 38% Source: AARP State of 50+ America Survey, October 2005 What older adults want Dependable service Comfortable and safe vehicles, stops, and stations Convenient hours/days of service ◦ Flexibility that comes with frequency Accessible information Friendly drivers Proximity (door-to-door service) Discounts when needed Transportation Options to Sustain Aging Fixed-route public transportation Specialized transportation Complete Streets Fixed-route public transportation Mid-day and evening service Travel training Low floor buses Bus shelters, benches, and lighting Widely available service information with large fonts Route planning that addresses older adults needs Specialized Transportation Non-emergency medical transportation “Senior Ride” Volunteer transportation services Rideshare programs Taxi service Rural Transportation Mobility management Policy Options to Improve Specialized Transportation Increase funding Strengthen coordinated planning Support mobility management Collect and analyze smarter data Expand program flexibility Study consolidation Complete Streets AARP Bulletin A Complete Street is safe, comfortable & convenient for travel by automobile, foot, bicycle, & transit regardless of age or ability National Complete Streets Coalition US EPA Aging Initiative 17 Durham, NC 18 US EPA Aging Initiative CS changes transit National Complete Streets Coalition A single year of ADA paratransit service for a daily commuter: $38,500 Permanent improvements to make a transit stop accessible: $7,000 - $58,000 A more effective use of funds National Complete Streets Coalition Poll of older adults Evaluation of complete streets policies Survey of planners and engineers Expert roundtable and recommendations for update of FHWA Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians Federal Complete Streets Bills Directs States and MPOs to adopt Complete Streets policies for federally-funded projects within two years S 584 – Sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) ◦ 11 cosponsors HR 1443 – Sponsored by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) ◦ 54 cosponsors AARP in the States AARP Public Policy Institute Informs and stimulates public debate on the issues we face as we age. Provides objective research and analysis Promotes the development of sound, creative policies to address our common need for economic security, health care, and quality of life. www.aarp.org/ppi Jana Lynott, 202-434-3893, [email protected] Transit can grow its market share Mode Share by Age Auto Transit Walk Age 18-49 Age 50-64 Age 65+ 84% 85% 87% 3% 2% 2% 11% 10% 9% Around 20% of adults 65+ report using public transportation at least occasionally Older Adults Report Inhospitable Roads • 40% say they do not have adequate sidewalks in their neighborhoods • 47% say they cannot cross their main roads safely • 54% of those living in inhospitable neighborhoods said they would walk and ride more often if conditions improved • The majority support adoption of Complete Streets policies, with 56% expressing strong support International Communications Research Poll for AARP, 1,000 adults age 50+, July 2008 Our Communities are Unprepared • 2/3 of planners and engineers have not yet begun considering the needs of older users in the multimodal planning (AARP Public Policy Institute/ITE online survey of more than 1K planners & engineers, 2008). • Less than 1/3 of the 80 Complete Streets policies explicitly address the needs of older road users (AARP Public Policy Institute, 2009). The addition of bike lanes and parallel parking makes it easier for older drivers to turn. Source: “Planning Complete Streets for an Aging America,” AARP Public Policy Institute, 2009