01555526

Component

As the number and influence of elderly persons in the United States grows, the changing transportation needs of this population will take on increasing importance. According to the National Vital Statistics Report published by the Centers for Disease Control (2013), the life expectancy as of 2010 was 78.7 years, an increase from 77.0 years in 2000. The elderly population will be expected to continue contributing to society as their numbers grow. These contributions will be expected as many opt to limit or cease driving. As a result, a given economy risks losing significant economic contribution due to the mobility loss experienced by elderly persons who do not drive. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data between 2000 and 2012 were used to determine driving ability. Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS) data was then used to examine consumption patterns of the study group for certain categories. Driving cessation was shown to be associated with a significant reduction in overall expenditures as compared to those who were able to continue driving, and is greatly influenced by land use characteristics. Society faces a significant potential economic loss as senior mobility declines. The transportation planning community’s ability to remove certain mobility barriers can mitigate these lost contributions.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ABE20 Transportation Economics. Alternate title: Economic Impact of Driving Cessation Among the Elderly Population.

01550057

15-5812

English

0000-0002-2497-3443

14p

2015

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Aged drivers; Consumption; Driving cessation; Economic impacts; Mobility

Economics; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I10: Economics and Administration; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2015 Paper #15-5812

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 30 2014 1:57PM