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Advances in information and communication technology (ICT) are transforming urban mobility through intelligent systems that enhance mobility, independence, and social integration for all age groups while improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions (Circella, 2017; Chatti and Majeed, 2022). However, older adults often face barriers to adopting these technologies due to societal stereotypes, insufficient external support, and internal perceptions of vulnerability, which limit their adoption of intelligent transport systems (ITS) and restrict their mobility options (Köttl et al., 2021; Chu et al., 2022; Zhang. 2024).
This study integrates the Senior Technology Acceptance Model (STAM) with the Intergenerational Solidarity Model (ISM) to explore how intergenerational relationships influence older adults' acceptance and use of ICT-related transport technologies. Shanghai, as China’s most aging city and a leading smart city in the Global South, offers a unique context due to its advanced ITS and intergenerational support structures. Through semi-structured interviews with 115 individuals aged 55 and above, findings reveal that intergenerational solidarity and supportive conditions significantly enhance older adults' willingness to adopt ITS aimed at promoting sustainable travel. Key drivers of technological engagement include strong normative solidarity and perceived ease of use, while personal commitment to environmental sustainability fosters the adoption of greener transport modes, thereby advancing low-carbon mobility objectives. Additionally, comprehensive family support reduces anxiety related to smart transport technologies, enhancing positive attitudes toward their adoption, whereas concerns about weakening intergenerational emotional bonds hinder widespread acceptance. Societal attitudes and external support systems also play crucial roles in facilitating or obstructing family efforts to assist older adults in adopting ITS.
These findings highlight the critical need for integrated policy measures to support older adults' technology adoption, promoting low-carbon and inclusive mobility. Intergenerational support mechanisms enhance accessibility for older adults and contribute to a more inclusive transport infrastructure, benefiting diverse disadvantaged groups. The study recommends fostering intergenerational dialogue to integrate older adults' perspectives into transport policy, developing inclusive transport platforms for collaborative travel planning, and implementing educational initiatives to enhance ITS accessibility and efficiency. These strategies are essential for policymakers, technology developers, and community leaders to enhance ITS acceptance among older and vulnerable populations, thereby promoting sustainable urban mobility globally.
References
Chatti, W. and Majeed, M. T. (2022) Investigating the links between ICTs, passenger transportation, and environmental sustainability. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 29 (18), pp. 26564–26574.
Chu, C., Nyrup, R., Donato-Woodger, S., Leslie, K., Khan, S., Bernett, C., and Grenier, A. (2022) Examining the technology-mediated cycles of injustice that contribute to digital ageism: Advancing the conceptualization of digital ageism: Evidence and implications. Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments, pp. 545–551.
Circella, G. (2017) ICT-Dependent life and its impacts on mobility. In Zhang, J. (ed.) Life-oriented behavioral research for urban policy. Tokyo: Springer Japan, pp. 149–173.
Köttl, H., Gallistl, V., Rohner, R., and Ayalon, L. (2021) ‘But at the age of 85? Forget it!’: Internalized ageism, a barrier to technology use. Journal of Aging Studies, 59, p. 100971.
Zhang, L. (2024) Breaking barriers: A dual-factor model unraveling ageism in socially assistive robot adoption among older Chinese adults. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 1–17.
| Keywords | Transport Technology Adoption; Intergenerational Support; Older Adults; Inclusive Mobility |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
