Older People’s Mobility, New Transport Technologies and User-Centred Innovation

Abstract

People are fitter and more mobile than ever before, but transport can still be an issue in later life due to physiological and cognitive challenges. This chapter examines findings from four focus groups with 36 older people examining the importance of mobility and future changes in mobility and transport. Older people were generally sceptical of potential transport futures, though they welcome technologies that reduce physical difficulty in mobility, gave real-time information, and reduced issues with interchange. There were mixed feelings of automated vehicles, often dependent upon the individual’s willingness to accept technology taking over their own skills and abilities, trust in the technology and concerns over future built environments.