Assessment of the Transportation Needs of Pennsylvania's Elderly Population

Abstract

We focus on the transportation needs of the elderly as determined by a randomly selected sample of 2,048 elderly Pennsylvania residents. We provide an analysis of those factors that can discriminate between the elderly (1) who express a need for transportation services versus those who do not and (2) who use transportation services and who do not. Car ownership, health status, living arrangement, race, martial status, sex, and age are significantly related to the elderly's perceived need of transportation services. Factors significant in discriminating between users and nonusers of transportation services are perceived need, car ownership, urban-rural residence, age, and living arrangement. Implications of this analysis for policy-makers and researchers are discussed.