As the baby boomer generation ages there is an increased need for older adult sensitive transportation. Currently a small percentage of older adults utilize public transit; however, the utilization rates are likely to increase as the corresponding population of older adults increases. Older adults are a diverse population and it is likely that future generations of older adults will require a wider range of transit options.

The current research addresses (i) barriers for older adults at transit stops and stations, and (ii) older adult public transit habits and attitudes. This discussion presents the initial findings of a survey on urban older adults’ transit habits and attitudes. The preliminary findings suggest that older adults do not have enough information they require in order to access public transit, older adults are primarily concerned with real or perceived crime while utilizing public transit, and that older adults would be likely to ride public transit if the right conditions were met. Further research and actions are suggested to complete the understanding of older adult transit habits and needs.

The size of the aging population in the United States is increasing, and transportation is critical to maintaining older adults mobility, independence, and quality of life. Travel training programs designed to increase individual knowledge are one way to encourage older adult use of fixed- route transit and improve the transportation options for older adults. The analysis conducted in this paper explores characteristics of travel-training participants in Alameda County, California in 2007-2008 and their knowledge and concerns regarding public transit. Specific issues addressed include transit habits, degree of increase in knowledge after participating in the training, and factors that predict training participation. Participants in this study represent a diverse group of older adults with a broad range of transportation experience and knowledge. After participation in the travel training course, participants showed an increase in knowledge of local public transit and how to access transit information independently. The study identifies currently driving as a predictive positive predictive factor for participating in the travel training course. Future travel training courses should make efforts to recruit current drivers who may wish to plan for their future mobility needs by becoming more familiar with public transit options.

The Community Pedestrian Safety Engagement Workshops are a community capacity building program to involve local residents in community pedestrian safety. The focus of these workshops is to engage, educate and empower residents to ensure they have the skills, knowledge and resources they need to become active in improving pedestrian safety in their neighborhood, district, city or county. This program uses pedestrian planning and community engagement curriculums as a framework for the content, and goes beyond this to tailor each workshop to the individual community needs, ensuring genuine resident engagement and continued involvement.

This paper highlights the processes and strategies used to engage community residents with local professionals in pedestrian safety workshops throughout California. Several case studies are highlighted focusing on a variety of engagement techniques from obtaining elected official’s participation, outreaching and working with existing collaboratives and groups, working with youth volunteers, Video Voice, and peer learning and sharing. All of the workshops result in group-identified pedestrian safety priorities and actions for continued resident involvement and have connected previously inactive community members (both adults and youth) with community pedestrian activists. Subsequent relationships have resulted in enhanced community pedestrian safety efforts and programs that continue long past the workshop dates.