How can transport demand modeling be used to improve transportation systems for seniors?

1 The challenges of aging populations

One of the main challenges of aging populations is the decline in physical and cognitive abilities that affect driving skills and travel behavior. Seniors may face difficulties in accessing public transport, walking and cycling, or using new technologies. They may also experience social isolation, reduced activity levels, and lower quality of life. Transport demand modeling can help identify the travel patterns and needs of seniors, and forecast how they will change over time. For example, transport demand models can estimate how many seniors will stop driving, how often and where they will travel, what modes they will use, and what barriers they will encounter.

2 The opportunities of aging populations

Another challenge of aging populations is the opportunity to create more livable and inclusive communities that support the well-being and independence of seniors. Transport demand modeling can help evaluate the impacts and benefits of various policies and projects that aim to improve the transportation options and environments for seniors. For example, transport demand models can assess how different land use scenarios, transit service improvements, road safety measures, or mobility innovations can affect the travel behavior, accessibility, health, and satisfaction of seniors.

3 The data sources for transport demand modeling

To perform transport demand modeling for seniors, it is essential to have reliable and relevant data sources that capture the characteristics, preferences, and behavior of this population group. Some of the common data sources are census and survey data, travel diaries, GPS and smartphone data, and traffic counts and sensors. However, these data sources may have limitations in terms of coverage, accuracy, timeliness, and privacy. Therefore, it is important to use a combination of data sources, and apply appropriate methods to validate, integrate, and analyze them.

4 The methods for transport demand modeling

There are various methods for transport demand modeling, depending on the purpose, scope, and complexity of the analysis. Some of the common methods are aggregate models, disaggregate models, activity-based models, agent-based models, and microsimulation models. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and requires different levels of data and computational resources. Therefore, it is important to choose the most suitable method for the specific research question and context.

5 The applications of transport demand modeling

Transport demand modeling is a powerful tool that can be applied to various aspects of transportation planning and decision making for seniors. It can be used to evaluate travel demand and mode choice under different scenarios, estimate the impacts of aging populations on transportation networks, assess accessibility and equity, compare the costs and benefits of different policies and projects, and identify gaps in mobility, safety, and quality of life. By using transport demand modeling, transportation planners can design systems that support the well-being and independence of seniors, who are a growing and diverse population group.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?