In today’s world, the dependence on cars is quite visible. Cars as mobility are part of your daily life. Imagine a time when you will no longer be able to ride cars. How will you travel? What are the alternative mobility options available to you? In this article, you will learn about the ways to make life happily mobile, year after year.
What is the Problem with Mobility?
After World War II, society developed people built their cities and life around cars. Now people born between 1946 and 1964 are entering the retirement stage. This is where the problem with their mobility lies. Few of these people and kids have thought about how they will get around in today’s car-dependent communities. In America, many senior citizens live in neighborhoods where access to alternatives to driving is few. Additionally, the number of young people without a driver’s license is increasing. So, it won’t be easy for senior citizens to rely on their kids or grandkids to get a lift. There is an immense need to realize that mobility is essential for the life of senior citizens as well. They should be able to visit shops, go to events, visit friends and family, etc. As a society, we need to find ways to make such citizens happily mobile, year after year.
Also Read: Urban Collaborative Spaces Can Provide Many Benefits for People with Disabilities
What are the Opportunities for Senior Mobility?
It may seem very challenging to develop senior mobility however the sheer influence and force of the Baby Boomer generation can change this mobility into a tremendous opportunity for marketers and policymakers alike. But this will only happen if they have the ability to reimagine transportation and mobility as a marketplace of integrated services. In the market as well as media you can see examples of this reimagined transportation. It’s not a coincidence that car manufacturers are implementing safety features to assist with parking, staying in lanes, etc.
The development of driverless vehicles could be great for senior citizens as inexpensive taxis. This way these seniors will have a need for car ownership. In the coming years, not many seniors will continue to drive or own cars. Public transit will also be great to fulfill help senior citizens with mobility.
Also Read: How will Driverless Cars Affect Our Cities?
What Does Integrated, Internet-enabled Senior Mobility Look Like?
Car Freedom is a concept that has emerged from the mindset of integrated mobility. MMM Mobility Management Group developed this concept as a part of their Urban Mobility Practice. Car Freedom as a platform aims to help senior citizens transition from car-based mobility to integrated mobility. Currently, Scotland is developing this concept. As its initial step, this platform provides support to its users to understand their mobility needs using maps. The site offers resources to calculate the cost of operating and owning a car. It also provides comparisons with other modes, like taxi rides. It helps reduce barriers to selling a car. It aims to lower barriers to alternative modes of transportation by providing information about- taxis, transit, car sharing, etc. With different steps on different levels society is trying its best to make seniors happily mobile, year after year.
