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Transportation

Livable communities offer transportation options that improve health, support vibrant neighborhoods and connect people to economic and social opportunities throughout their communities.


You can also find this page at aarp.org/transportationpolicy.

spinner image Mature people getting onto bus, City Street, Transportation, Public Policy Institute, AARP, Livable Communities

AARP Transportation Principles


The following principles set out broad goals for policymakers and community stakeholders to provide a variety of transportation options to meet the needs of their residents.
 

  • Promote affordable transportation options
  • Ensure the transportation system is accessible
  • Promote healthy communities through sustainable transportation infrastructure  
  • Foster coordinated transportation services and assets  
  • Strengthen federal leadership in transportation
     

For detailed information on our policies around Livable Communities, please see our policy book.
 

Featured Publications
 

Safe Streets
 

spinner image Bicyclists, road, Jacksonville, Florida, Travel patterns, Transportation, Public Policy Institute, Livable Communitiies


More than 30,000 Americans are killed on our nation’s roadways each year and far more are injured. Older road users, because of their increased frailty, are overrepresented in both vehicle and pedestrian crash fatalities.
 

Complete Streets are those designed and operated for safe, comfortable and convenient travel by pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. The focus of complete streets initiatives has been on changing transportation agency policies and procedures so that these multimodal accommodations become routine at the project-development stage. Well-designed roads help to extend many older adults’ safe driving years and at the same time they make it possible to travel by foot, bicycle or public transit safely in the community. 

Convenient Transportation Options
 

spinner image Bicyclist Crosses Road, Cobblestones, Bus, AARP, Public Policy Institute, Livable Communities, Transportation



A variety of safe, affordable, dependable and user-friendly travel options enables people of all ages to stay active and engaged in their communities. For some, regular, fixed-route public transportation services are ideal; for others, because of health, disability status or geography, more personalized services — such as paratransit, dial-a-ride, reduced-fare taxis or rides in private vehicles available through volunteer driver programs — are needed.

Travel Patterns of the 50+
 

spinner image Bicyclists, road, Jacksonville, Florida, Travel patterns, Transportation, Public Policy Institute, Livable Communitiies


AARP is your go-to resource to understand the travel of persons age 50+. The AARP Public Policy Institute has done extensive analysis of the National Household Travel Survey data series to understand the travel patterns of persons age 50 and older, as well as other population groups.

AARP Livable Communities