Enabling Mobility for Older Adults in the US
Driving is essential for the preservation of functional independence for older adults, yet there is a growing number of older adult drivers with comorbid health conditions that might impair their ability to drive safely. Older adult drivers are overrepresented in motor vehicle crash deaths and injuries, which is a major public health concern. The purpose of this project is to (1) develop a comprehensive understanding of the mobility needs and challenges of older adults in the United States, and (2) develop an innovative tool to extend their safety while they drive. Aim 1: Develop a comprehensive understanding of the mobility needs and challenges of older adults To develop a comprehensive understanding of the mobility needs of older adults, the research team will analyze data from a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults aged 65 and older. The survey contains a comprehensive set of questions that explore driving behavior, transportation options, mobility limitations, and attitudes toward future transportation technologies and policies among adults aged 65 and older. Aim 2: Develop an innovative tool to extend their safety while they drive. The goal of this project is to understand older adults’ perceptions of an app (StreetCoach) that provides a driving score based on actual driving behavior. A number of apps exist for older adult drivers but the perceptions of older drivers towards their driving score is poorly understood. This study will use a sequential explanatory research design by asking 10 older adults to download and use the app for 60 days. Following this, the research team will conduct in-depth interviews with the participants to gain an understanding of their perception and interpretation of their telematics score, and what factors might motivate them to change their driving to improve the score.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Proposed
- Funding: $75,953.00
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Contract Numbers:
69A3552348329
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Sponsor Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Managing Organizations:
1111 Rellis Parkway
Bryan, Texas United States 77807 -
Project Managers:
Ocon, Monica
- Performing Organizations: Baltimore, MD United States
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Principal Investigators:
Ehsani, Johnathon
- Start Date: 20260301
- Expected Completion Date: 20270228
- Actual Completion Date: 0
- USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers
- Source Data: 03-07-JHU
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Driver monitoring; Driving behavior; Mobile applications; Mobility; Traffic safety
- Geographic Terms: United States
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Society;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01979443
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)
- Contract Numbers: 69A3552348329
- Files: UTC, RIP
- Created Date: Feb 12 2026 3:16PM