Exploring Transportation Challenges and Opportunities for Mobility-Vulnerable Populations Through the Social-Ecological Model

Abstract

Community mobility is a vital activity of daily living. Mobility-vulnerable populations—individuals with incomes below the federal poverty threshold, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and older adults—face transit disparities. Advanced technologies (e.g., ride-sharing) may mitigate transportation inequities, but limited evidence considers mobility-vulnerable populations. Utilizing the social-ecological model, the team examined challenges and opportunities associated with transportation availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and adaptability among two socioeconomic communities. Four focus groups were conducted using community-based participatory research principles. Community advisory boards informed focus group development and implementation. A thematic analysis was performed using the social-ecological model. Participants (N = 23) experienced transportation challenges and opportunities at all levels of the social-ecological model—individual (e.g., bus availability), relationship (e.g., peer support), community (e.g., safety), and societal (e.g., social isolation). Findings indicate the importance of looking beyond individual factors and exploring relationships, community, and societal impacts on transportation use.

Plain Language Summary

Using a social-ecological model lens to examine transportation challenges and opportunities for mobility-vulnerable people

Community mobility is necessary to participate in everyday activities, such as medical, education, employment, and leisure opportunities. Some populations, specifically people with low incomes, minorities, those with disabilities, and older adults, are faced with challenges with accessing transportation. New technologies, like ride-sharing, may reduce transit-related challenges, but further research is needed to determine the impact. Researchers have explored the challenges and opportunities related to transportation for two communities that differ socioeconomically. Through group discussions, the researchers examined residents’ challenges and opportunities using a public health-based social-ecological model. The group discussions highlighted factors at all levels of the social-ecological model, such as individual (e.g., ability to catch a bus nearby), relational (e.g., having a friend drive you to a destination), community (e.g., using a safe bus stop), and societal (e.g., loneliness because one cannot access their community). The researchers concluded that transportation usage is impacted by individual, relationship, community, and societal factors, and when planning transportation systems, all levels should be considered.