Assessing the needs of Delaware’s older drivers.

Details

• Creators:
  Dworsky, Bernard ; O’Hanlon, Julia
• Corporate Creators:
  University of Delaware. Institute for Public Administration
• Corporate Contributors:
  University of Delaware. Delaware Center for Transportation ; Delaware. Dept. of Transportation
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Aged drivers
  • Aged
  • Older automobile drivers--Delaware
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  Delaware
• Corporate Publisher:
  Delaware Center for Transportation
• Abstract:
  In light of Delaware’s growing population age 60 and older (60+), it is important to plan for the ; state’s projected increase in older drivers. Information from the United States Census Bureau ; (2005) indicates that Delaware is projected to have the ninth largest percentage of elderly ; residents to general population by 2030. Additionally, research from the University of ; Delaware’s Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research (2006) illustrates that Sussex ; County is projected to experience the most significant percentage growth between 2000 and ; 2030. ; Delaware reflects national trends in terms of its percentage of licensed drivers over the age of 65. ; According to the Delaware Department of Transportation (2004), in 2003, 15.3 percent of ; licensed drivers were over the age of 65. Many younger seniors (50-65) prefer to drive, and with ; few transportation alternatives in the state, dependency of private vehicles is likely to continue. ; However, factors that pose risks to older drivers include impaired vision, diminished cognition, ; and decreased motor-function (Carr, Duchek, Meuser, and Morris, 2006). ; Current road designs should be reviewed to determine whether modifications are necessary to ; better accommodate Delaware’s older drivers. Possible modifications include making ; intersections more driver- and pedestrian-friendly and improving traffic signs and signal design. ; Additionally, comprehensive assessment, education, and outreach programs can assist ; individuals, families, and physicians facilitate discussions about driving and promote mobility ; and independence among older Delawareans. Like other states that are addressing this issue, ; Delaware should apply resources for such modifications and initiatives to areas that pose the ; greatest safety concerns. Chosen areas should be based on the state’s current and projected ; demographic trends as well as crash data. Better coordination and collaboration among state ; advocacy groups and agencies will also foster overall improved awareness and education for ; individuals and their families who are concerned about the potential risks associated with older ; drivers. ; This paper begins with an overview of the issues and implications related to driving and longterm ; mobility. Sections 1-5 are part of a literature review that includes research studies, case ; studies, and best practices on subtopics related to older drivers. These subtopics include ; intersection design, traffic signs and signal design, and education and awareness programs. ; Finally, Section 6 provides a list of priorities and recommendations for considered by units of the ; Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and other state agencies based on the ; Delaware’s demographics trends and current transportation-planning practices and resources.
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• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/17968/dot_17968_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 499.60 KB]
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers ; US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:e9d4df10bafa1312d1034e0eec25aeac7c6e103b9a41ec331a13f88736eb2e4f