Safe Routes for Seniors
Walking is the main form of exercise for older Americans, so making our built environment and roads safe and inviting for older pedestrians is critical to maintaining physical activity, independence, and mental health. as people age.
Safe Routes for Seniors - final report- Transportation Alternatives ( www.transalt.org) - http://www.transalt.org/files/newsroom/reports/2009/Safe_Routes_for_Seniors.pdf
AARP Planning Complete Streets for an Aging America http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/ppi/liv-com/2009-02-streets.pdf
Other Senior's articles on the Transportation Alternatives web site: here
Comments from Noah S. Budnick ,Senior Policy Advisor
Transportation Alternatives, www.transalt.org
1) Older people walk slower than the rest of us. Typical adult walking speed is 4 ft/sec. Transportation Alternatives' research found seniors walk at 2.5 ft/sec. Thus they need more time to safely cross the street.
2) Seniors are more vulnerable to severe and debilitating injury. A fall that would bruise an average adult could send a senior to the hospital with broken bones. This results in disability or death, higher medical costs and lower mental health and quality of life