Leliveld, Peter (2022) Accessibility for the elderly in the province of Groningen. Master thesis.
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Abstract
The north of the Netherlands is facing an increasingly ageing population. The ageing population often lives in rural areas with a lower population density. The low density areas challenges the current mobility services in the province of Groningen. The province of Groningen is an interesting case study as it has a large dense city with a relatively young population, and an ageing rural population. Good accessibility is essential for elderly as it contributes to healthy ageing. Healthy ageing is conceptualised in this research by using the Active Ageing Index (AAI). Two indicators of the AAI, Independent Living and Social Connectedness, are essential for elderly as they contribute to decreased loneliness and help to remain elderly more independent until older age. The proximity of services and bus stops influence how tempted elderly will be to use public transport. If the barrier to using public transport is too high, elderly will be more dependent on demand-responsive transport (DRT). This research used both quantitative and qualitative data to answer the research question: What is needed in terms of accessibility in the province of Groningen to keep elderly participating in tomorrow’s society? The economic stability of DRT will become more difficult in the future as the amount of elderly in need of DRT will grow due to the province’s ageing. Public transport is ten times more affordable per kilometre than DRT, as DRT picks up elderly at home on demand and brings them to the requested location nearby. The economic stability of the DRT is thus crucial for the accessibility of elderly. In this research, spatial maps have been used to gain insights into areas with high shares of elderly and large distances to bus stops and facilities. These areas are thus more dependent on DRT to bring elderly to facilities and other destinations. By interviewing different parties with different views on this topic, the thesis aimed to get a holistic overview of the situation. Interview results have indicated a few different reasons why elderly sometimes have difficulties using public transport. Elderly in the province of Groningen are often afraid to use public transport as many things can go wrong, which creates anxiety. Secondly, elderly often cannot use a smartphone to find trip information. The confidence of elderly needs to be boosted if they want to use public transport. Boosting confidence could be done by training elderly and supplying more information about the use of public transport. This research’ spatial analysis showed that many areas have a high share of elderly and have large distances to bus stops. The travel demand of elderly could be reduced by better spatial planning such as living closer to facilities and bus stops which would reduce the need to use DRT. Elderly use DRT as they have a Wmo-indication. This research showed that there is a large variety between municipalities in indicating elderly as in need of a Wmo-pass. Some municipalities are thus giving elderly a Wmo-pass more easily than others, and giving away an indication results in a higher amount of elderly with an economic incentive to use DRT. Making Wmo-consultants better aware of the costs of DRT and educating elderly about the functioning of public transport could help to reduce the demand for DRT. Clever apps could help to integrate all forms of transport better and thus make travelling easier for elderly. Stimulating elderly of tomorrow to use apps will help in the future to make travelling easier for them. This research, in the end, concluded that although the network in the province of Groningen is close-knit, much needs to be done still to keep the network economically stability. Economic stability of the network is needed to keep elderly included in tomorrow’s society and reduce loneliness.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Environmental & Infrastructure Planning |
| Supervisor: | Bahrami, F. |
| Date Deposited: | 31 Aug 2022 10:47 |
| Last Modified: | 31 Aug 2022 10:47 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4002 |
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