Aniko Laszlo, MassDOT/MBTA Translating Environmental Scan into Action for Improved Mobility Options for Older Adults Aniko Laszlo, MassDOT/MBTA

Lessons from Environmental Scan* We may outlive our ability to drive by 7-10 years The more we age, the higher the level of support we are likely to need Older adult population is heterogeneous in abilities and needs Solutions need to respond to unique needs and locations Needs and services are dynamic and exist on a continuum Build on existing resources and best practices Harness strengths in multidisciplinary teams – sharing unique insights about the older adult population is an important asset Opportunity to develop agency and community capacity around mobility planning and services 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Aging is an asset! * A Scan of Transportation Options Available for Older People in Massachusetts, Report to the Tufts Health Plan Foundation, UMASS Boston, Gerontology Institute, June 19, 2018

Dynamic Triangle - Multiple Dimensions Fully mobile, maybe providing transportation to others Supportive transportation 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE 85+ Intensity of service Cost of service Level of need Age May start to transition; increase in self-regulation 75-84 65-74 and <64 Number of older adults

Guiding Principles for Transportation Leverage and build on existing resources, best practices, and technologies Define short-term and long-term strategies Prevalence of mobility need is greater in Gateway cities and rural areas - Ensure equity across communities Address diverse transportation needs in each section of the pyramid (horizontal focus) Work upstream – Keep older adults mobile, independent and in control of their transportation options as long as possible (vertical focus) 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

Strategies: Bridge to an Age-Friendly Commonwealth 2. Explore new ways to provide “total trip” 85+ 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE 1. Make use of available resources Supported Gateway Transitioning 75-84 Suburban Fully mobile 4. Address upstream determinants of mobility 65-74 Urban Rural 3. Improve the built-in environment

Tactics: Making Sure We Get There Strategy 1: Make better use of existing tools and resources Tactic 1: Increase awareness of and usage of RideMatch and analyze data for Gateway cities (www.massridematch.org) Fully mobile; Transitioning 64-84 Short term Gateway communities: Springfield, Holyoke, Westfield Tactic 2: Teach travel skills on the fixed route and other modes to diverse neighborhoods; make outreach material culturally compliant Quincy, Springfield, Lawrence Tactic 3: Develop cost/benefit analysis, best practice programmatic material and incentivize RTAs to offer travel training programs Long term Statewide 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Strategy 2: Explore new ways to fulfill the rider’s total trip by convening stakeholders in supported transportation and expanding ride-share services Tactic 4: Convene stakeholders in supported transportation (e.g. EMS, cabulance, chair car, the RIDE) to expand wheelchair accessible rides and offer 2-person assist Supported 85+ Short term Statewide Tactic 5: Explore innovative services and expand successful rideshare pilots (e.g. Needham Community Council pilot with Lyft) to additional regions and use cases Fully mobile; Transitioning 64-84 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Strategy 3: Improve the built-in environment through structural enhancements and policy initiatives to increase accessibility to transportation Tactic 6: Make improvements to prioritized bus stops in select gateway cities based on areas that older adults frequently use Fully mobile; Transitioning 75-84; Medium term Quincy and MBTA coverage area Tactic 7: Develop policy to incentivize all RTAs to perform a comprehensive bus stop accessibility assessment 64-84 Long term Outside MBTA coverage area 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Strategy 4: Support older drivers and those in transition by addressing upstream determinants of mobility and create awareness of other transportation options Tactic 8: Improve awareness of vision challenges and cataract surgery among older adults Fully mobile; Transitioning 64-84; Short term Statewide Tactic 9: Work with the City of Boston to extend age-friendly business designation to car mechanics across the state and increase the number who achieve the designation 64-84 Long term Tactic 10: Extend the “Carfit” program to older adults through COAs Tactic 11: Increase access to car maintenance services, some performed by local vocational technical schools and high schools Tactic 12: Develop and conduct training for RMV and COA/ASAP staff to help older adults transition from driving to other transportation options 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Up next Multi-year implementation roadmap for 12 tactics – action oriented, outcome and impact focused and transparent Project plan by individual tactic Rationale Collaborating partners Estimated cost Potential funding source Timeline Success measures Data collection Milestones Scalability Sustainability Community feedback – engage older adults and other consumers in planning and implementation Determine resource needs and identify potential funding sources 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Contact Aniko Laszlo Dir. of Coordinated Mobility MassDOT/MBTA System-Wide Accessibility 857-368-8958 alaszlo@mbta.com 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE