The over-60 population in California is projected to grow faster than any other age group, and will comprise up to one-quarter of the state's population by 2030. To address these changing demographics and the opportunity to create policies that promote healthy aging, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order in June 2019 to create a Master Plan for Aging. As part of the development of the Plan, SafeTREC co-director David Ragland was honored to be a member of the Master Plan for Aging Research Subcommittee and the Livable Communities Committee to share his expertise on mobility & safety for older adults. On January 6, 2021, California's first ever Master Plan for Aging was released.
The Master Plan for Aging
The Plan is a comprehensive framework that outlines five bold goals and 23 strategies for building a California for All Ages by 2030.
Five Bold Goals
- Housing for All Ages & Stages
- Health Reimagined
- Inclusion & Equity, not Isolation
- Caregiving that Works
- Affording Aging
A selection of the Transportation and Safety related initiatives includes:
Initiative 12:
Promote within existing resources ways to improve community walkability for older adults and people with disabilities through the California Active Transportation Program and Complete Streets projects. (Lead Agencies: SGC, CalSTA)
Initiative 13:
Promote within existing resources safer transportation for older adults using multiple transportation modes by implementing recommendations from the Zero Traffic Fatalities Task Force, including consideration of lower speed limits in urban, suburban, and rural areas, to meet needs as funds allow. (Lead Agencies: SGC, CalSTA)
Initiative 14:
Promote within existing resources free bus/transit (including using digital ID solutions to streamline access) and transit rider education, both beginning at younger ages, as well as integration of fare systems to increase access in urban, suburban and rural areas, to meet needs. (Lead Agencies: CalSTA, GovOps)
Initiative 15:
Promote expansion of bus/transit stops that are age- and disability-friendly (e.g., locations, seating, weather) to meet needs. (Lead Agency: CalSTA)
Initiative 16:
Establish person-centered MOUs between transit districts to allow paratransit to cross transit district lines to meet rider needs. (Lead Agency: CalSTA)
Initiative 17:
Encourage innovation in flexible transit options, for example demand response, especially but not only in rural communities. (Lead Agency: CalSTA)
Initiative 18:
Provide older driver safety education training, including information about transportation options other than driving, to meet needs as funds allow. (Lead Agency: CalSTA)
Initiative 19:
Review community walkability scores and Vehicle Miles Traveled data for opportunities to analyze with aging demographics and to include in Data Dashboard for Aging. (Lead Agencies: SGC, CalSTA)
View the full plan here and explore the transportation and safety related initiatives (under "Strategy B: Moving Beyond Cars") here.