TRAVEL PATTERNS OF RURAL ELDERS

A telephone survey of rural elders age 75 and over was conducted to de termine their travel behavior and, in particular, their use of transit services. This paper presents the results of the survey in four secti ons. First, we present data on how many automobiles are available to e lders, how prevalent drivers' licenses are among elders, and how many other people live in elders' households. Second, we present elders' ov erall travel patterns by mode and trip purpose. Third, we describe tra vel by rural elders who use transit. Finally, two models are developed to predict whether an elder took any trip on the previous day or a tr ip using transit in the previous year, using a series of variables tha t relate to demographic characteristics and mobility factors. Policyma kers involved in developing and modifying programs that help elders ma intain mobility can use this information to target resources and servi ces to elders in most need of assistance.