MOVING TOWARD AN ELDER FRIENDLY MOBILITY FUTURE May 19, 2009 Presented by Marla Turner, Associate State Director AARP Texas

AARP 2 STATEMENT OF NEEDS/BACKGROUND > Harris County is the fourth largest county in the United States and encompasses 37 different municipalities. The greater Houston/Harris County area encompasses neighboring counties including Ft. Bend, Montgomery, Waller, Liberty, and others. Due to the immense size of the area and so many governing bodies with their own funding, coordinated transportation efforts have been slow to come to fruition. > Residents in one county have difficulty getting to other counties for medical care and other services. (A patient in Ft. Bend County can not access transportation options to cross county lines and visit their physicians in the Texas Medical Center) > Transportation issues have implications for all other issues from housing accessibility to health and wellness, recreation and cultural activities, and safety.

AARP 3 STATEMENT OF NEEDS/BACKGROUND > Between the years 1990 and 2000, Texas had an increase in the 65+ population of 20.7%; however, Harris County had a 27.6% increase for the same population. The over 85 age group had an increase of 51.6% for the same ten year period. (U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary Files and Census 1990 Tape Files). The Harris County area is highly diverse culturally with the Hispanic and Asian growth being the fastest segments of the older generation (implications for language barriers in public transportation are huge). > Census Bureau statistics state that by the year 2030, the number of Americans age 65+ will almost double to 70 million from today’s number. > The US Census Bureau predicts that the percentage of Americans age 65+ will rise from 12.4 percent of the population to 20 percent by the year 2030 and 50% of Americans will be 55+. > The Texas Citizen Fund and United Way of Greater Houston study found that safety was a barrier for many older residents in using public transportation.

AARP 4 STATEMENT OF NEEDS/BACKGROUND > Walk Well Texas pedestrian audits have found that the Harris County area has many problems with streets, signals, sidewalks, lack of curb cuts and ramps and other mobility issues. > When mobility challenges are met the following impacts are realized: Connection Independence Increased quality of life. (United Way of The Texas Gulf Coast and Texas Citizen Fund,2006)

United Way of Greater Houston-Texas Citizen Fund’s Regional Mobility Analysis

AARP 6 Overview of Study > Objectives: * To increase the public input and participation in legislatively-mandated public transportation regional service planning. * To identify barriers and challenges among those persons most likely to need or use public transportation services. > Geographic Focus: Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery, and Waller counties, particularly in “areas of potential high transit need.” > Population Focus: Older adults, persons with disabilities, low income families. > Outcome: A regional mobility profile.

AARP 7 Regional Findings > The mobility of persons with disabilities, seniors, and low-income persons is tenuous, even among those who drive > Medical care and groceries are the destinations to which access is reported as limited most frequently > Those most likely to use public transportation identified challenges getting to locations within other cities or counties, particularly when traveling to, from and within Harris County > Current and likely customers have significant concerns about their physical safety and security when using public transportation. > Potential public transportation consumers are often unaware of services > Passengers reported affordability as a primary mobility challenge.

AARP 8 Mobility Profile of Harris County Respondents, Age 60 and Older

AARP 9 Self-Description of Harris County Respondents, Ages 60 and Older

AARP 10 Unable to Travel

AARP 11 Unable to Reach Medical Services

AARP 12 Unable to Access Groceries or Other Goods- Services

AARP 13 Unable to Reach Other Service-Related Appointments

AARP 14 Difficulties: Costs Too Much

AARP 15 Difficulties: Anxiety About Traveling Alone

AARP 16 Difficulties: Travel to Another City or County

AARP 17 Difficulties: Traffic Volume and Infrastructure

Improving Safety and Quality of Streets

AARP 19 What Are Complete Streets? Complete Streets are designed and operated so they are safe, comfortable, and convenient for all users – pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities.