Transportation’s Role in Livable Communities Jana Lynott, AICP Senior Policy Advisor AARP Public Policy Institute

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Provide & promote civic engagement and a sense of place through Safe, sustainable choices for a variety of elements that include ◦housing, ◦transportation, ◦Education, ◦cultural diversity and ◦enrichment and ◦recreation. Definitions of Livable Communities

Provide affordable, appropriate, accessible housing Ensure accessible, affordable, reliable, safe transportation Adjust the physical environment for inclusiveness and accessibility Provide work, volunteer, and education opportunities Ensure access to key health and support services Encourage participation in civic, cultural, social, and recreational activities Definitions of Livable Communities National Council on Disability

Safe Affordable and appropriate housing, Supportive community features and services, Adequate mobility options, Which together facilitate personal independence and the engagement of residents in civic and social life. AARP Definitions of Livable Communities

Mobility: Americans 50+ are able to sustain mobility as they age Livable Communities Photo by Jana Lynott Housing: Americans 50+ have appropriate and affordable housing options

Our population is growing … and growing older Source: U.S Census Bureau - Census projections as of 8/2008

“What I’d really like to do is remain in my local community for as long as possible.” Source: AARP State of 50+ America Survey, October 2005 Age category: 50+ Base=910

8 Some Indicators of Concern Older population increasingly resides in suburban areas not well served by public transportation and where the auto is king More than 1 in 5 Americans age 65 and older do not drive. Of these non-drivers, more than 50% (or 3.6 million Americans) stay home on a given day, partially because they lack transportation options Transit use among older adults has been declining for decades In 2008, more than 800 pedestrians age 65+ were hit and killed by motor vehicles, another 7,000 injured. Older adults are disproportionately represented in fatal accidents involving pedestrians

Percent of 50+ respondents rating community feature “D” or “F” 38% 35% 31% 20% 13% Dependable public transportation Walking or bike trails within half-mile of home Sidewalks going to where you want to go Transportation alternatives for people with disabilities or health problems Well-designed and maintained streets Source: AARP State of 50+ America Survey, October 2005

What older adults want Dependable service Comfortable and safe vehicles, stops, and stations Convenient hours/days of service ◦Flexibility that comes with frequency Accessible information Friendly drivers Proximity (door-to-door service) Discounts when needed

Transportation Options to Sustain Aging Fixed-route public transportation Specialized transportation Complete Streets

Fixed-route public transportation Mid-day and evening service Travel training Low floor buses Bus shelters, benches, and lighting Widely available service information with large fonts Route planning that addresses older adults needs

Specialized Transportation Non-emergency medical transportation “Senior Ride” Volunteer transportation services Rideshare programs Taxi service Rural Transportation Mobility management

Policy Options to Improve Specialized Transportation Increase funding Strengthen coordinated planning Support mobility management Collect and analyze smarter data Expand program flexibility Study consolidation

Complete Streets A Complete Street is safe, comfortable & convenient for travel by automobile, foot, bicycle, & transit regardless of age or ability AARP Bulletin

National Complete Streets Coalition

17 US EPA Aging Initiative

18 Durham, NC US EPA Aging Initiative

National Complete Streets Coalition CS changes transit

A more effective use of funds A single year of ADA paratransit service for a daily commuter: $38,500 Permanent improvements to make a transit stop accessible: $7,000 - $58,000 National Complete Streets Coalition

Poll of older adults Evaluation of complete streets policies Survey of planners and engineers Expert roundtable and recommendations for update of FHWA Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians

Federal Complete Streets Bills Directs States and MPOs to adopt Complete Streets policies for federally-funded projects within two years S 584 – Sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) ◦11 cosponsors HR 1443 – Sponsored by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) ◦54 cosponsors

AARP in the States

AARP Public Policy Institute Informs and stimulates public debate on the issues we face as we age. Provides objective research and analysis Promotes the development of sound, creative policies to address our common need for economic security, health care, and quality of life. Jana Lynott, ,

Transit can grow its market share Mode Share by Age Age 18-49Age 50-64Age 65+ Auto84%85%87% Transit3%2% Walk11%10%9% Around 20% of adults 65+ report using public transportation at least occasionally

Older Adults Report Inhospitable Roads 40% say they do not have adequate sidewalks in their neighborhoods 47% say they cannot cross their main roads safely 54% of those living in inhospitable neighborhoods said they would walk and ride more often if conditions improved The majority support adoption of Complete Streets policies, with 56% expressing strong support International Communications Research Poll for AARP, 1,000 adults age 50+, July 2008

Our Communities are Unprepared 2/3 of planners and engineers have not yet begun considering the needs of older users in the multi- modal planning (AARP Public Policy Institute/ITE online survey of more than 1K planners & engineers, 2008). Less than 1/3 of the 80 Complete Streets policies explicitly address the needs of older road users (AARP Public Policy Institute, 2009).

The addition of bike lanes and parallel parking makes it easier for older drivers to turn. Source: “Planning Complete Streets for an Aging America,” AARP Public Policy Institute, 2009