Travel Characteristic of Elderly People in Towns of Shanghai Metropolitan Area: An Urban-Rural Mobility Network Analysis

Abstract

This study investigates the travel characteristics of elderly residents living in townships across the Shanghai Metropolitan Area, addressing a significant gap in research that has traditionally focused on urban populations. Using a combination of mobile signalling data, point-of-interest data, transportation surveys, and network analysis, the research examines daily mobility patterns of residents aged 65 and above across urban–rural and rural–rural mobility networks. The findings reveal that elderly travel is predominantly local, short-distance, and strongly influenced by administrative boundaries, transportation accessibility, physical health, and the spatial distribution of family members and public services. Urban–rural trips are mainly motivated by medical care, family visits, shopping, and leisure, while rural–rural travel is more closely associated with everyday shopping, caregiving, and community activities. Survey results show that shopping is the most common travel purpose, travel frequency declines significantly with age, and travel times remain relatively consistent across age groups, with morning and early afternoon peaks. Based on these findings, the paper proposes planning recommendations including the development of age-friendly transport infrastructure, improved distribution of healthcare and public services in townships, diversified travel support policies, and stronger cross-regional coordination to promote equitable mobility and support healthy ageing in urban–rural regions.