Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/791958
CHAPTER 7:MOVE Diverse Mobility Needs and Preferences The transporta on system in Cary is designed to func on for all residents, workers, and visitors. This means crea ng a network that allows individuals to choose a preferred mode of travel - driving, walking, biking, transit. It also means adjus ng to changing preferences and ensuring all mobility needs are met. Na onally, the popula on is aging as the baby boomer genera on reaches re rement age and life expectancies increase. This trend is accelerated for warm southern states like North Carolina, and Cary's popula on reflects this trend. The fastest growing segment of Cary's popula on is nearing re rement age; between 2000 and 2011 the propor on of Cary's popula on over 55 increased from 12% to 18%. Cary's popula on of over 65 individuals is projected to con nue to increase in the future. The aging popula on has several impacts on transporta on. First, older individuals drive less than other age groups and tend to make fewer trips at peak travel mes (the morning and evening rush hours). Many older individuals choose not to drive - or are no longer able to drive - and must rely on walking, transit, or friends and family for trips. As a result, demand may increase for non-driving modes of travel and travel op ons at non-peak mes. Aging Population Millennials (the genera on born roughly between 1980 and 2000) and their travel preferences have been a frequent point of discussion over the past several years. In general, surveys have shown millennials prefer walking, biking, and transit at higher rates than other age groups. Also, millennials' economic experiences and personal trends have reduced car ownership and driving. Factors include lower employment, wage stagna on, higher debt levels than previous genera ons, pursuing more schooling, and postponing marriage and children. There is some evidence that the prevalence of social networking and ubiquity of internet access has impacted the desire for automobile ownership; the cell phone is the millennial genera on's symbol of freedom and connec vity, not the car. Many millennials prefer a transit trip to a car trip, because that me can be spent on other tasks such as reading, working, or connec ng with others via a smart phone. Millennial Preferences Growth in Seniors Millennial Choices Cary's senior popula on has grown rapidly and will con nue to grow in the future. Millennials show a desire to use non-car modes at a higher rate than other genera ons. 214