DLR study highlights design needs for age-appropriate mobility

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has published a study on the transport needs of people in their mid-60s and older. Conducted by the DLR Institute of Transport Research together with the DLR Institute of Vehicle Concepts, the analysis looks at everyday mobility as well as crisis situations such as heatwaves or pandemics. The researchers use these situations to assess how resilient mobility solutions are.

A central finding is that transport systems and planning often still use an average, healthy male as a reference point. DLR describes the resulting structural gap between existing mobility provision and the needs of different population groups as the "Mobility Design Norm Gap". According to the study, the issue affects older people as well as women, children and people with permanent or temporary impairments.

The study links the need for action to demographic change. DLR states that almost 30 percent of people in Germany will be older than 67 by 2040, with similar trends in many Western societies and in countries including Japan and South Korea. With increasing age, physical and cognitive changes can affect how mobility services are perceived and used. The study therefore emphasizes maintaining mobility as a factor in independence, social participation and quality of life.

For cars, DLR names head-up displays, voice control and familiar operating patterns as examples that can help keep attention on the road. Adjustable swivel seats can support easier entry and exit, while age-appropriate crash-test dummies could make safety testing more representative of older bodies.

The study also addresses e-bikes, which are popular among older users but are heavier than conventional bicycles. It recommends lighter, more maneuverable models as well as accessible training programs. Clear route guidance, good road surfaces and helmets are also identified as safety factors.

Walking and public transportation are considered as one connected journey chain. DLR notes that walking is the first step in 95 percent of bus and rail journeys. Wide, well-lit paths, functioning elevators and escalators, seating, clear information and understandable announcements can therefore affect whether public transportation is accessible in practice. Digital route-planning and ticketing tools should use simple interfaces, large buttons and clear instructions. Vehicles should also provide low boarding heights, handrails at different levels and enough space for walking aids and rollators.

Looking ahead, DLR sees shared automated vehicles as a potential mobility option when driving or walking is no longer possible. The study recommends considering older users’ needs from the start, including simple booking processes and the social interaction that may become more important when no driver is present.

To close the Mobility Design Norm Gap, DLR calls for coordination among those who plan and provide mobility services and vehicles, alongside binding public-sector requirements. The study also identifies an economic dimension: age-appropriate mobility services address a growing target group and may create market opportunities for providers.

REHACARE.com; Source: German Aerospace Center (DLR)