10,028 research outputs found
To drive or to use the bus? An Exploratory Study of Older People in Malta
The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Older adults are becoming a larger portion of the world’s population, and as a result, more attention is being given to their mobility and travel behaviour. Such studies are however lacking in certain contexts like in Malta, an island state in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta is facing a concurrent high population density, high motorisation rate and an ageing population. Nevertheless, older people’s mobility is not adequately considered in transport policy. The aim of this paper is to have an exploratory understanding of mode choice in later life in Malta, and understand the key determinants that affect older people’s decision to drive or to use the bus. Using descriptive statistics and two regression models, this paper shows how in Malta older males drive significantly more than females, and the latter use more public transport. As age increases, the percentage of drivers declines for both genders. On the other hand, whilst for females public transport use also declined with age, the pattern of usage amongst males fluctuated. The data also showed that public transport was mostly used by non-driving older people who could potentially be captive bus users. The determinants that predicted whether older people drove or not were (i) gender, (ii) age, (iii) their occupation status, and (iv) the presence of an assistive device. The significant predictors for older people’s public transport use were (i) the number of cars available in the household, (ii) age, (iii) the district where they lived, (iv) their occupation status, (v) their participation in social activities and (vi) the presence of personal assistance. The two models revealed different predictors for mode choice however there were also several similarities. The paper concludes with a discussion, highlighting the importance and relevance of the results to transport policy-makers. It also provides suggestions for further research to examine older people’s mobility and travel behaviour
Towards more pedestrian-friendly streets in Cairo
This research explores the factors that make the streets of Cairo better places for walking, more inviting, and adaptable to be used by pedestrians. In order to closely examine how far Cairo streets are pedestrian-friendly, walkable environments, the research investigates one street in Cairo as a case study. The case study uses qualitative research to investigate the street characteristics through participants’ observation technique, while the local pedestrians’ needs and perceptions towards the street’s walkability are explored through interviews. In addition, an in-depth interview is conducted with an expert in order to have deeper insights into the issue of pedestrian-friendly streets from a professional perspective. The existing models reviewed through the literature have contributed to the development of the proposed conceptual framework. The study’s empirical findings have shown that safety and cleanliness of streets are the main factors that influence people’s walking experience. Besides, pavement and sidewalks conditions, street furniture and lighting, along with other street user’s behavior, such as car drivers and shopkeepers, are other factors that implicitly and/or explicitly affect street walkability. The analysis of the findings contributes to the limited qualitative research on walkable streets and pedestrians’ walking experience specifically in Cairo. Thus, this study offers a set of recommendations for policy makers and city managers in terms of conducting further research that covers other geographic areas in Cairo, adopting a participatory planning approach, enforcing laws and regulations on street occupancy, applying people-oriented planning paradigms, and raising public awareness on walkability
Health initiatives to target obesity in surface transport industries: review and implications for action
Lifestyle-related chronic diseases pose a considerable burden to the individual and the wider society, with correspondingly negative effects on industry. Obesity is a particular problem for the Australasian road and rail industries where it is associated with specific cardiac and fatigue-related safety risks, and levels are higher than those found in the general population. Despite this recognition, and the introduction of National Standards, very little consensus exists regarding approaches to preventative health for surface transport workers. A review of evidence regarding effective health promotion initiatives is urgently needed to inform best practice in this cohort. This review draws together research informing the scope and effectiveness of health promotion programs, initiatives and interventions targeting overweight and obesity in safety critical surface transport domains including the truck, bus and rail industries. A number of health interventions demonstrated measurable successes, including incentivising, peer mentoring, verbal counselling, development of personalised health profiles, and offer of healthier on-site food choices – some of which also resulted in sizeable return on investment over the long term.
 
Cardiac Autonomic Control and Neural Arousal as Indexes of Fatigue in Professional Bus Drivers
Background: Bus driving is a mentally demanding activity that requires prolonged attention to ensure safety. The aim of the study was to assess mental fatigue caused by driving a public bus and to find a profile of workers at higher risk. Methods: We evaluated changes of critical flicker fusion (CFF) (index of central arousal) and heart rate variability (HRV) (index of autonomic balance) in a 6-hour driving shift on a real route, in 31 professional bus drivers, and we tested the influence of personal factors such as sleep quality, BMI, and age. Paired t test was used to test differences of CFF and HRV between both initial and final phase of driving, while multiple linear regression tested the influence of personal variables on the indexes of mental fatigue. Results: Results showed that CFF significantly decreased after 6 hours of bus driving (41.91 Hz, sd 3.31 vs. 41.15 Hz, sd 3.15; p = 0.041), and heart rate significantly decreased in the final phase of driving, with respect to the initial phase (85 vs. 78 bpm, p = 0.027). Increasing age (beta =-0.729, p = 0.022), risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (beta =-0.530, p = 0.04), and diurnal sleepiness (beta =-0.406, p = 0.017) showed a significant effect on influencing mental fatigue. Conclusion: Elderly drivers at higher risk of sleep disorders are more prone to mental fatigue, when exposed to driving activity. Monitoring indexes of central arousal and autonomic balance, coupled with the use of structured questionnaires can represent a useful strategy to detect profile of workers at higher risk of mental fatigue in such duty
Ergonomic standards for pedestrian areas for disabled people: literature review and consultations
As part of the project for the Transport and Road Research
Laboratory concerned with the development of design guidance for
pedestrian areas and footways to satisfy the needs of disabled
and elderly people, a thorough examination of the literature was
required. In addition the literature search was to be
complemented by a wide-ranging series of discussions with local
authorities, organisations representing the interests of elderly
and disabled people, and other interested agencies. This Working
Paper sets out the findings of this exercise.
The objective of the literature review and the consultations was
to identify the key impediments for elderly and disabled people
when using pedestrian areas and footways. The current guidelines
and standards relating to footways, pedestrianised areas and
access to buildings were to be identified and their adequacy
commented upon, as were the conflicts such recommendations raise
between various groups of disabled people and with able-bodied
people. The consultations were intended to provide greater
insights into what the literature highlighted, and to suggest
possible solutions.
The literature review produced over 400 key references and a list
of 35 impediments. A more detailed examination of the literature
and the consultations reduced this list to six key impediments
namely: parking; public transport waiting areas; movement
distances; surface conditions; ramps, and information provision.
The type and scale of problem created by the above impediments
for various groups of disabled and elderly people are discussed,
together with their measurement and assessment. The type and
adequacy of existing design standards and guidance relating to
these impediments are also outlined
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