The urban mobility of elder workers: evidence with the American Time Use Survey (2003-2018)

Abstract

This paper explores the commuting behavior of elder workers in the United States, with a focus on metropolitan areas and metropolitan population sizes. Using the American Time Use Survey for the years 2003-2018, estimates reveal a positive correlation between commuting time and residing in metropolitan areas, driven by longer commutes in more populated areas. Furthermore, elder workers in metropolitan areas of more than 2.5 million inhabitants use more public transports than workers in less-populated or non-metropolitan areas. The analysis may allow policy makers to identify which workers may be more affected by the negative consequences of commuting, and also who has more limitations in their commuting behaviors.