Access to Digital Technology, Digital Capacity in Transportation, and Public Transportation Convenience Among Korean Older Adults: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Objectives: Older adults need to develop digital capacity for using public transportation, providing that nowadays most of ride tickets and traffic information are available via online or mobile apps. The advanced Digital Technology (DT) accelerates the digitization of public transportation. However, current studies have shown that older adults are digitally excluded, and low digital capacity would cause older adults to discomfort when taking public transportation. We posited that digital factors such as Access to Digital Technology (ADT) and Digital Capacity in Transportation (DCT) are highly related to Public Transportation Convenience (PTC). Older adults rely upon taking buses or subways rather than driving a car, and they enable them to have social gatherings, and visit hospitals or senior centers. More age-friendly public transportation would be suggested in digitized society to maintain mobility, which is pivotal in their life.

Methods: The sample consisted of 608 older adults aged over 60 residing in South Korea, and we used a sample of 369. The 1^st hand data were collected from interdisciplinary research in 2023 among Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA), Korea Transport Institute (KOTI), and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The dependent variable (PTC) was assessed on 5-point scale, and the independent variable (ADT) was combined with number of digital devices and internet use frequency. The mediator (DCT) was the sum of scores in 5 domains (e.g., navigating online maps, using taxi apps, and in-app purchase for transportation) with each 4-point scale. Sex, age, educational attainment, household type, region, and taxi reservation experience were controlled for this study. Data were analyzed using SPSS.

Results: First model (Adj. R²=0.15, F=6.38, p<.001) revealed that ADT positively affected DCT (B=0.07, p<.001). Among control variables, high school (B=-0.22, p=.020) compared to above college and small-town residence (B=-0.23, p=.011) compared to big cities adversely impacted ADT. In addition, taxi reservation experience (B=0.36, p<.001) positively influenced ADT. Second model (Adj. R²=0.20, F=8.21, p<.001) showed that ADT (B=0.04, p=.024) and DCT (B=0.05, p<.001) were significant predictors for PTC. Small town residence (B=-0.17, p=.048) and taxi reservation experience (B=0.24, p=.004) were meaningful control variables for PTC. Thus, the association between ADT and PTC was partially mediated by DCT (Baron & Kenny, 1986).

Conclusions and Implications: Our collaborative study concluded that digital factors preceded perceived PTC among older adults. Based on these results, practical implications are discussed as follows. First, local senior community centers should provide trainings on frequently used digital skills such as reserving taxi on apps and using smart vending machines for improved access to public transportation. Furthermore, digital policies and age-friendly awareness are necessary that governments be required to endorse more digital trainings and age-friendly digitization. Third, given that older adults are deficient in digital devices than any other age group, easier access to digital devices and internet should be guaranteed, and better digital capacity should be enhanced. Finally, public transportation without digital barriers must be introduced for older adults to maintain their mobility, thereby leading a life independently in local communities.