Our take on what the ageing population will mean for transport services and infrastructure

1. mruk
IMPLICATIONS OF AN AGEING
SOCIETY ON THE TRANSPORT SECTOR
INCREASING NUMBERS OF OLDER PEOPLE DRIVING LATER IN LIFE
INCREASING USE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY AMONG OLDER AGE GROUPS.
In 2013, the number of drivers over the age of 70 exceeded
4 MILLION FOR THE FIRST TIME
POPULATIONIS A KEY DRIVER OF ROAD
TRANSPORT DEMAND
The Government estimates that of those citizens around today, 10 million will reach their
100th birthday. Likely to add to already congested roads.
CAR TRAVEL DEMAND IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY AROUND 20% BETWEEN 2010 AND 2040
Over 70s have fewer accidents than 17-19 year olds,
and 60-69 age group are least likely to be killed on roads
OLDER DRIVERS ARE
SAFER DRIVERS For example, Saga increased its advertising spend from £3.6m in H2 2011 to
£4.8m in H1 2012, while RIAS increased its advertising spend from £2.8m to
£4.5m over the same period
GROWTH IN INSURANCE
SERVICES TARGETING OLDER DRIVERS
POSITIVELY, THIS IS ALSO LIKELY TO BOOST THE CAR INDUSTRY
(Car manufacturing output has been growing steadily since 2009, although this has been fuelled mostly by exports to date)
Half of 54-65 year olds now own a
smartphone. In 2013, more than one in four
aged 65+ (29%) said they used the internet
to access services relating to travel
GREATER USE OF
TECHNOLOGY WILL
CONTINUE TO INFORM HOW
TRAVEL INFORMATION IS
PROVIDED.
INTERNET USE AMONG 65+ AGE GROUP
GROWING MORE RAPIDLY THAN ANY OTHER
According to ONS, less than 10% used the internet daily in 2006, but this had increased to
33% by 2013. Active internet users aged 65 and above spend more time online than any other group
ANTICIPATED INCREASE
IN DEMANDfor real-time travel information and increased use
of social media sites for travel planning
KEEP ON
WALKING
THE RETIREMENT AGE IS RISING
AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HEALTHY YEARS WE CAN EXPECT
RESULTING IN A GREATER PROPORTION OF THOSE
AGED 60 AND OVER WORKING LONGER
THE NUMBER OF OVER 80s IS SET TO MORE THAN
DOUBLE FROM 3M IN 2012 TO 6.1M IN 2037
CHANGING WORK PATTERNS
WILL AFFECT PEAK AND OFF
PEAK TRAVEL FLOW
CHANGING LIFESTYLES IN OLDER AGE LIKELY
TO INCREASE DEMAND FOR WALKING AND CYCLING
A SURVEY BY STANDARD LIFE SUGGESTS THAT OVER HALF OF 46 TO 65 YEAR OLDS PLAN TO TRAVEL MORE DURING RETIREMENT
Health and transport policies seek to reduce the number of sedentary adults,
with older age groups the least active. Walking remains popular into older age,
with participation levels holding up well among those aged in their 70s
THE ELIGIBLE AGE FOR CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL IN ENGLAND IS RISING (AND CURRENTLY STANDS AT 60)
(Since 2010, eligibility has been linked to state pension age.)
Resulting in a growth in peak travel demand.