Looking to the Future

In the coming decades, older adults will comprise an increasing proportion of the U.S. population. This is a positive development for society because it indicates that people are living longer and healthier lives. But aging, and the chronic illnesses that become more prevalent with age, may bring about some changes in vision, cognition, and motor skills. These ability changes occur at different rates for different people, so it is incorrect to assume that all drivers of a certain age have deficits or are unsafe.

The transportation network must accommodate larger numbers of older drivers, pedestrians, and public transit users. Maximizing their ability to use the network is important since transportation plays such a significant role in maintaining independence. To the extent that older adults can safely drive or walk on their own, they will be able to preserve their quality of life.

"Thankfully, most of the infrastructure changes that communities make for older road users benefit users of all ages and society as a whole," says FHWA's Alicandri. "There are very few, if any, infrastructure recommendations that benefit older adults but hinder other road users. If you're not already an older road user, one day in the future you will be—and these infrastructure changes will help ensure that you will be able to get around safely on your own."