The associations between older adults' daily travel pattern and objective and perceived built environment: A study of three neighbourhoods in Singapore. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hou, Yuting; Yap, Winston; Chua, Rochelle; Song, Siqi; Yuen, Belinda
• Is Part Of: Transport policy. Volume 99(2020)
• Page Start: 314
• Page End: 328
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Transportation and state -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Rates -- Periodicals; 388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2020.06.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-070X

Abstract

Abstract: The increasing preference for ageing-in-place highlights the pivotal role of the neighbourhood environment in meeting the mobility needs of older adults. This paper examines the combined associations of objective and subjective measures of built environment features with older adults' travel pattern in Singapore. A multivariate ordered probit (OP) modelling framework is applied to examine older adults' daily trip frequency by four transport modes: walking, public bus, Mass Rapid Transit/Light Rapid Transit (MRT/LRT), and private motorized modes, while controlling for the correlations among the use of different modes. The results show that while perceived access to recreational facilities exert independent positive effects on older adults' daily walking trip frequency and enhance the effects of comparable objective measures, other subjective measures do not significantly moderate the effects of objective features on walking trip-making, including those of actual access to utilitarian destinations, the availability of sheltered walkways and unsafe pedestrian crossings near residence. The results also find independent positive effects of perceptions of transit proximity and comfortable and safe pedestrian connections on older adults' daily transit trip-making. Highlights: Perceived accessibility to recreational facilities encourage daily walking trips. High perceptions of transit access and pedestrian connections increase transit use. Provision of covered walkways increases daily walking trips. Unsafe pedestrian crossings discourage older adults from frequent walking trips. Proximity to wet markets, parks and places of worship encourage daily walking trips.