Overall Accessibility to Traveling by Rail for the Elderly with and without Functional Limitations

The Whole-Trip Perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID15460922
AuthorsCatherine Sundling (0009-0003-9627-1402, Stockholm University, corresponding author), Birgitta Berglund (Karolinska Institutet), Monica E Nilsson (0000-0002-2081-7144, Stockholm University), Mats Nilsson (0000-0002-5790-5922, Stockholm University), Ragne Emardson (0000-0002-0024-3892, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, P.O. Box 857, SE-501-15 Borås, Sweden), Leslie Pendrill (0000-0003-4349-500X, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, P.O. Box 857, SE-501-15 Borås, Sweden)
Year2014
Volume11
Issue12
Pages12938-12968
Publication date2014-12-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph111212938
PMID25514149
PMCIDPMC4276655
OpenAlexW2116707202
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited17

Elderly persons' perceived accessibility to railway traveling depends on their functional limitations/diseases, their functional abilities and their travel behaviors in interaction with the barriers encountered during whole trips. A survey was conducted on a random sample of 1000 city residents (65-85 years old; 57% response rate). The travels were perceived least accessible by respondents with severely reduced functional ability and by those with more than one functional limitation/disease (e.g., restricted mobility and chronic pain). Those who traveled "often", perceived the accessibility to be better than those who traveled less frequently. For travelers with high functional ability, the main barriers to more frequent traveling were travel costs and low punctuality. For those with low functional ability, one's own health was reported to be the main barrier. Our results clarify the links among existing functional limitations/functional abilities, the barriers encountered, the travel behavior, and the overall accessibility to traveling. By operationalizing the whole-trip concept as a chain of events, we deliver practical knowledge on vulnerable groups for decision-making to improve the transport environment for all

Operationalization · Perspective (graphical · Punctuality · Transport engineering · Travel behavior · TRIPS architecture · Applied Psychology · Computer Science · Engineering · Medicine · Older Adults Driving Studies · Psychology · Traffic and Road Safety · Urban Transport and Accessibility · Gerontology

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