Joelle Atallah

Perceptions of Public Transportation with a Focus on Older Adults: a Design Study on Enhancing Public Bus Transportation for Older Adults Living in Their Community Joelle Atallah

Older adults of this age are generally very active and outgoing. However, as people get older, their senses and reflexes diminish, which makes it harder and dangerous for them to drive. This study focuses on the needs and expectations of older adults when using public transportation. I hope to encourage them to use this system; to help maintain their independence and stay in their own homes and communities. The only public transportation currently present in Columbus, Ohio, is the COTA bus system (Central Ohio Transit Authority). Also, the targeted older adults are local citizens, 65 years or older, independent, and self-reliant. The book contains a well-developed literature review following a chain of thoughts that leads to the proposed topic being studied. The study includes questionnaires and interviews conducted by older adults and others; professionals in the fields of gerontology or public transportation system. The end results are a series of common physical and conceptual problems on public transportation with possible solutions. The final analysis is an improvement to the public bus system and an emphasis on the universal design concept.