This project is seeking to understand what the social impact of these technological developments may be in the context of an ageing society, looking at aspects of lived experience, public health and mobility.
5. Driving Matters to Older People
• Practical – shopping, GP, hospital
• Social – family and friends, lifts, helping out
• Pleasurable – visiting countryside, enjoying the journey
• Psychological – independence, personal identity, self-esteem
6. Advantages of Driving for Older People
Convenient – door-to-door, on demand, low effort
Cheap – cost per mile perceived to be lower
Quick – no waiting, journey times perceived to be lower
7. Stopping Driving
• 1/3 older people have “unmet travel needs” – often related
to social or pleasurable purposes rather than practical
• Having to stop driving is associated with depression,
loneliness and reduced quality of life
• Older drivers do not transition easily to public transport or
other modes of shared transport
8. Driving Technology: 3 Big Trends
Automated support for
drivers
• Cruise control
• Parking assistance
• Lane assist / safe
distance
• Self-driving?
Automation
Picture Credit: Park4U
9. Driving Technology: 3 Big Trends
Digitally-enabled models
Picture Credit: Washington Post
11. The Future - Older Drivers
• Driving lifespans get longer
• Extended driving lives extend our social lives
12. The Future – Safety
• Electric vehicles improve air quality, urban space and health
• Automated vehicles reduce the risks of driving
• Connectivity introduces new risks
13. The Future – Sharing
• Fewer private cars - more hailing, more hiring
• New forms of sharing emerge
• Shared mobility enables shared services
14. The Future – Work and Home
• Houses and offices continue to follow the car
• Easier commutes increase suburban house prices
• Shared mobility impacts older workers
15. The Future – Inequalities
• Not everyone will drive for longer, and those who don’t will
have fewer options
• Rural drivers will be left behind, especially older ones
• The ‘last ten yards’ still matter
?
16. Supporting the Transition
• Subsidise electric vehicles, public transport and other
carbon-reducing alternatives
• Develop new insurance solutions for shared mobility
• Explore new shared service models
• Realign investment away from the car
17. Managing Automation & Risk
• Investigate safety benefits of automation
• Promote use of safety measures - tap, click every trip
• Develop insurance, regulation and data governance for
connected vehicles
• Collective action against cyber-attack on vehicles
18. Promoting Alternatives to Driving
• Invest in public transport
• Devolve powers to local government to enable alternatives –
Transport for Everytown
• Encourage shift away from the car, especially among older
people – nudges and norms
• Make places for active travel and shared mobility
19. Tackling Barriers to Inclusion
• Invest in rural infrastructure and rural public transport
• Focus innovation on the last ten yards
• Promote age-friendly, inclusive and accessible alternatives –
free MaaS pass
• Prevent discrimination in shared transport