Developing a One-Stop Platform Transportation Planning Service to Help Older Adults Move Around in Their Community...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Transportation Science
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Aging is associated with increased mobility challenges, impacting older adults' access to essential services and social activities.
• Existing transportation options are often underutilized by older adults due to a lack of awareness regarding suitable choices.
• Fostering autonomy in transportation decision-making is crucial for older adults' independence and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop Mobilainés, a comprehensive one-stop platform for transportation planning tailored to older adults' needs.
• To define older adults' mobility requirements and preferences for platform conceptualization.
• To co-create and evaluate a prototype of the Mobilainés platform in real-world settings.

Main Methods:

• A 'Living Lab' co-design approach involving older adults and stakeholders.
• Three iterative phases: exploration (needs assessment), experimentation (persona and prototype development), and evaluation (usability testing).
• Utilizing co-design workshops, literature reviews, persona development, scenario creation, and prototype testing with target users.

Main Results:

• The study is ongoing, with Phase 1 initiated in September 2019 and completion anticipated by mid-2023.
• Development of personas representing diverse older adult user needs and preferences.
• Co-creation of a prototype web application through iterative design sessions.

Conclusions:

• Mobilainés aims to integrate diverse transportation services into a single platform to enhance older adults' mobility.
• By addressing specific needs and preferences, the platform is expected to improve comfort, safety, and participation in activities.
• The service has the potential to increase social engagement and mitigate risks of social isolation among older adults.