The needs of the elderly roaduser

• Main Author: Tan, Elaine Yee Li
• Other Authors: Gopinath Menon
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/68350
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The elderly are one of the most vulnerable groups of road users. As the number of elderly continues to increase in Singapore, it is important to understand their travel needs and limitations. Through planning and appropriate traffic measures, the elderly may be encouraged to be more mobile and their journeys will be safer. This project aims to understand the needs of and the challenges faced by the elderly- whether they be motorists, pedestrians, and public transports users in terms of the effectiveness of the existing infrastructure, traffic regulations regarding elderly issues and educational programmes. This project tries to understand the travelling habits and difficulties of the elderly motorists, pedestrians and public transport users through various surveys, feedback from different campaigns, news and the Singapore Code of Accessibility. After reviewing the traffic regulations on the age limit for all classes of driving licences, the medical and competency requirements for renewing licences are acceptable. It is important to understand that problems in old age driving are more related to the health problems that the elderly faced than the actual numerical age. Suggestions were given. Drunk driving is less likely to be committed by the elderly motorists. Hence, they do not incur much risk in drunk driving. A survey from the Road Sense Campaign found out that 69% of the elderly pedestrians jaywalk on minor roads and 52% of them cross roads during the red man signal. It is important to take their needs into consideration and design appropriate systems such as better designed concrete ramps instead of stairs. Enforcement operations and educational programmes should also be considered. Currently, there appears to be no programmes organised for the elderly motorists. Authorities should educate the elderly motorists on how to adjust their driving patterns, etc. Elderly pedestrians need to exercise more care and practice the safety routines. They should also be beware of the risks even when the junctions are signalised and traffic conditions are light. Although more than half of the public will give up their seats to the elderly, there is scope for more improvement. The Land Transport Authority’s Graciousness Campaign should continue to develop a gracious culture in the public transport. The Land transport Authority has also considered some of the needs of the elderly pedestrians and implemented the silver zone and the “green man plus”. Overall, most elderly benefited from such measures. More improvements or changes can be done. The output of this study can be used to improve the traffic regulations regarding elderly issues and more education programmes for the elderly may be designed. All these help to create a safer and more elderly friendly environment for the road users.