Older people's perceptions of emerging transport technologies and intentions to use them: Are mobility innovations like AVs and MaaS ageing-friendly?

This study explores how older people perceive emerging transport technologies, designed to reform the future of mobility. With older populations rising dramatically and being on the one hand the age group most vulnerable to social exclusion and on the other hand increasingly influential in societal structures, the transport sector is under pressure to adapt to their diverse and sometimes specialised mobility needs. In this context, the study explores older people's perceptions of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), assistive technologies, real-time information systems and travel apps, focusing on their potential to enhance autonomy, accessibility, and mobility. In particular, we study older people's self-reported intention to use them. Data were collected via a face-to-face quantitative survey targeting residents aged 60 and over living in North England; a rare and laborious data collection approach in a dynamic UK region, fit for people often underrepresented in digital mobility research. We used descriptive statistics, ANOVA tests and ordinal regression to study their technology adoption decision-making. Findings reveal mixed attitudes: while older people recognise the benefits of increased independence and tailored mobility, concerns about affordability, ease of use, and digital literacy also emerge. ANOVA tests demonstrate that socio-economic characteristics like the educational background, driving license holding, internet usage and income are major factors underpinning older people's perceptions of emerging transport technologies. Moreover, the intention to use these initiatives is statistically associated with the importance a participant ascribed to their own transport accessibility, experience with technology, concerns of safety, cost savings, access to training and driving license holding. Our study ultimately voices the importance of inclusive design and policymaking to prevent the digital marginalisation of older people and calls for targeted older age-specific educational and awareness-raising initiatives to build trust and engagement with a future mobility paradigm that seems inevitable.