Public transportation disability and the elderly: An assessment based on 1980 census data

Lack of an adequate measure of disability for specific subpopulations and geographic areas has long been a problem for planners, in particular those concerned with the growing needs of aging people. This paper first assesses the quality and utility of the query on public transportation disability (PTD) in the 1980 census for the noninstitutional population aged 75 and older. Next, patterns of disability by age, sex, race, educational attainment, family income, area of residence, and availability of transportation are analyzed for reasonableness and internal consistency. Finally, the implications of the findings for transportation policy are discussed in light of data availability, policy goals, and the observed heterogeneity of the 75+ population.This research was supported by National Institute on Aging Grant No. 5-RO1-AG-03128. I am indebted to Eileen Crimmins, Ira Rosenwaike, and Judith Treas, as well as the editors, for valuable comments and suggestions on an earlier version of this paper.