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.