Older Adults, New Mobility, and Automated Vehicles
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Date
2021-02
Authors
Fraade-Blanar, Laura
Larco, Nico
Best, Ryan
Swift, Tiffany
Blumenthal, Marjory S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The premise that autonomous vehicles will address older adults’ immobility is not a given. As
argued in the Public Policy Institute’s publication Universal Mobility-as-a-Service, public- and
private-sector actors need to come together to create a set of supportive circumstances
that enable us to harness emerging technology for individual and societal benefit.
This paper and associated framework lays out the myriad and interconnected factors that
all stakeholders in this space should be thinking about so that the promise of autonomous
vehicles and new shared-use mobility opportunities can be realized. The framework can
be used as a checklist of design considerations for AV pilot testing, and it also may inform
research and development programs. Moreover, it can provide an easy-to-consult reference
for policymakers as they define roles and responsibilities among public- and privatesector
actors whose actions can enable equitable access—or result in greater inequity.
This research reveals a perennial flaw in our technology adoption process, at least in the mobility
arena: the current default of designing for a broad clientele of mobile individuals is insufficient. The
framework identified in this report is an important but only preliminary step to ensuring that the
needs of harder-to-serve populations, such as frail older adults and people with mobility disabilities,
are met. Additional, more tailored activity is needed. AARP looks forward to advancing this work.
Description
58 pages
Keywords
underserved, new mobility, equitable access