Vehicle ownership over the life course among older Americans: a longitudinal analysis

Shengxiao(Alex) Li ()
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Shengxiao(Alex) Li: University of California Riverside

Transportation, 2024, vol. 51, issue 1, No 10, 247-270

Abstract: Abstract This study contributes to the current research by adding a longitudinal analysis of factors related to vehicle ownership dynamics among older adults. Given an increasing number of older people in the low-density areas, the declined vehicle ownership over the life course might add additional travel difficulties to their lives. This study uses the Panel Survey of Income Dynamics (2001–2017), a large-scale panel survey of American households which began in 1968, to examine the role of life-cycle events, household socioeconomic attributes, and built environment factors on vehicle ownership reductions among older Americans. This study finds that becoming alone due to loss of partner or divorce and reduced income are related to decreased vehicle ownership and transitioning into zero-vehicle households. Age and being headed by Hispanics are also positively related to the probability of lowering vehicle ownership from one to zero. The results further demonstrate that female older adults living alone are more likely to live in zero-vehicle households than the male counterparts. This study suggests that policymakers should consider providing additional support, e.g., offering alternative transportation modes, for older adults when owning and using vehicles is temporarily or permanently impossible.

Keywords: Older adults; Vehicle ownership; Life-cycle events; Panel data; United States (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s11116-022-10326-4

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