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Providing equitable and accessible transport options for those that need it most is a huge issue already and is only growing more acute as our aging population increases and our health policies focus more on living in place targets for disabled and older people.
This research project was developed by ITS Australia through the iMOVE CRC with our research partners the Institute of Governance and Public Policy at UTS and project partners Transport for NSW, Transport & Main Roads QLD, Department of Transport WA and Department of Transport Victoria. It was fully funded through iMOVE supported by the Commonwealth Government.
Investigating all aspects of Community Transport operations across Australia, their critical role, and the challenges they and their customers face, this research has clarified some hesitations around technology, highlighting the advantages and the importance of reciprocal partnerships for technology adoptions.
With almost 1 in 4 Australians projected to be over 65 by 2057 Community Transport users are a growing and complex stakeholder group with challenging needs and expectations and in 2020 the Commissioner for Senior Victorians published a report which found 92% of seniors rated personal mobility as critical to health, social wellbeing, and independence.
Community Transport customers have had some resistance to technology adoption previously, but this has seen to be reduced with increased exposure – COVID19 impacts have accelerated this acceptance, particularly with regard to cashless payment.
Technology can provide the pathway to improve access to and enhance services available to those that need them, both now and into the future, and technology is increasingly permeating community transport.
While transport innovation goes from strength to strength, significant challenges remain in harnessing this to enhance transport inclusion – including systemic complexities, jurisdictional differences, and lingering barriers to innovation.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
92% of seniors rated personal mobility as critical to health, social wellbeing, and independence
2020 Commissioner for Senior Victorians Report
Transport disadvantage can be the result of many complex geographical, social, economic, cultural, built environment and other factors – but essentially refers to difficulties associated with accessing transport. It is typically due to a combination of:
Specific subgroups of the population (e.g. families with young children, people with a disability, Indigenous Australians and vulnerable lower-income groups), as well as by those living in specific geographical areas (e.g. outer-urban ‘fringe’, inner-regional, and more rural/remote areas of Australia) are most likely to experience transport disadvantage.
Like many developed countries, Australia has a high median age with a relatively large proportion of its population aged 65 and over. With population projections indicating significant growth the profile of the older population is also projected to change. In 2017, 15% of Australians (3.8 million) were aged 65 and over; this proportion is projected to grow steadily over the coming decades.
While transport disadvantage can be a particular challenge for those living in regional and remote areas – where populations may be lower and more dispersed, with fewer services and less infrastructure – it also remains a major challenge in urban areas. The Commonwealth Government’s State of the Environment 2016 report highlighted evidence of transport disadvantage challenges in outer urban areas (see figure below).
Accessibility to public transport, capital cities, 2011
Further 2018 research by Infrastructure Australia also demonstrated that Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, for example, each have over 1 million people in outer urban areas who are not within a reasonable walking distance of medium- to high-frequency public transport (representing 42%, 64% and 80% of the population in those areas, respectively).
This research undertakes to deliver a study to inform government policy and investment and help enable government and industry to bring technology advances to market to improve local and community transport outcomes.
The key objectives of the project are to:
Source: iStock - Selfie taken by man using a wheelchair with a friend
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