Aspects of the Transportation Problems of Elderly & Disabled Persons in Developing Countries

This paper describes aspects of the transportation situation of the elderly, and also, to a limited extent, of the disabled population in developing countries. The objective of this paper is to help concerned parties better understand the nature and extent of the problem, and the requirements of appropriate public policy necessary to meet the special transportation needs of the elderly and disabled people in developing countries. The method of the paper is essentially that of a comparison of relevant data from developed and underdeveloped countries. A review of the situation in Israel is used to illustrate existing policy, and the lack of policy, in underdeveloped countries. Transport policy may be defined as the use of legislation, public finance and other instruments to influence the way in which goods are moved and people travel. Establishing transport policy for the elderly and handicapped in developing countries requires, therefore, identification of policy relevant factors and their consideration in respect to the complex range of problems facing these countries.