Transport Policy in Aging Societies: An International Comparison and Implications for Canada

Abstract

This paper provides a framework for evaluating and comparing country transport policies to understand the extent to which these are being altered to cope with aging societies. Using the framework, transport policy documents of six countries in the industrialized world were analyzed and compared. A deliberate effort is made in the selection of countries to draw lessons from the comparative evaluation for Canadian transport policy. The paper highlighted the importance of country policy context and motivations in influencing the country’s choice of transport strategies and approaches. The paper also proposed a checklist of policy areas encompassing the wider variety of concerns that directly and indirectly impact on older people’s mobility. Finally, future policy and research issues on transport and aging are underlined in general and as they relate to Canadian situation.