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

2. 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

3. Dynamic Triangle - Multiple Dimensions
Fully mobile, maybe providing transportation to others
Supportive transportation
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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

4. 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)
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5. Strategies: Bridge to an Age-Friendly Commonwealth
2. Explore new ways to provide “total trip”
85+
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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

6. 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 (
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Contact
Aniko Laszlo
Dir. of Coordinated Mobility
MassDOT/MBTA
System-Wide Accessibility
2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE