Transportation, Accessibility, and Parking

Transportation is the link between a person’s home and their community. Transportation, whether walking, driving, or using public transportation, connects us to the places we need to fulfill our basic needs. An aging-friendly community has sidewalks or affordable transportation where most older people can get to and from hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, senior centers/centers for active adults, parks, adult day services, grocery stores, faith communities, spectator sporting events, or cultural events/activities. These are all things that allow us to stay involved and connected with our community as we age. By taking steps to keep us active and independent as we age, our community is helping to prevent social isolation for any member of the community. In an aging-friendly community, the streets and parking, pedestrian crossings, sidewalks and curb cuts, signage, and outdoor seating has been designed with the needs of older drivers and pedestrians in mind; and roads are designed to the needs of older drivers, with larger signage, left turn lanes, and clear road markings. (Frameworks Institute, 2017) 

**In order to maximize your communication and productivity with your audience, please reference the best practices created by The Frameworks Institute on the Characteristics main page.

Data to inform the discussion around this characteristic.

  • Presence/reach of public transportation (data source: City/County/Regional Transportation Agency)
  • Presence of transportation for older adults (data source: Area Agency on Aging)
  • Protected left-hand turns (data source: City/Town Public Works Department)
  • **For other ideas, direct participants toward the Livable Community Indicators report (page 12) (March, 2013).

Activities to help contextualize this characteristic

  • Aging in Place Getting There: This activity asks participants to think about how “getting there” – to the doctor, grocery store, family, church, family, changes over time if we age in place.  What may seem “easy” now may provide us with challenges in the future. It also challenges participants to think about their community and how accessing resources changes over time.

Success Stories from local communities

  • Northwoods Transit Connection –  Multi-county transportation system:
    • Leaders in Oneida and Vilas County came together to address the issue of transportation for older adults  and community members with disabilities. This service is also available to the general public. 
  • Round-about driving in Winnebago County – The communities realized there were round-abouts surrounded commonly used medical centers. As a result, the community created “how to maneuver a round-about” programs and had these at senior centers/centers for active adults and community centers. Each center had tip cards and the older adults could practice with a map and small car to follow the directions. (For more information, please contact Jane Jensen, Extension educator in Sheboygan County) 

Resources and other ideas for next steps

Resources and further reading:

  • NEXT CHARACTERISTIC: Sidewalks and Pedestrian Crossings