Freedom to Travel

BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Our mission: To lead in developing transportation data and information of 

high quality and to advance their effective use in both public and private 

transportation decisionmaking.

Our vision for the future: Data and information of high quality supporting 

every significant transportation policy decision, thus advancing the quality 

of life and the economic well-being of all Americans.

To obtain Freedom to Travel

and other BTS publications 

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Bureau of Transportation Statistics

U.S. Department of Transportation

400 Seventh Street, SW, K-15

Washington, DC 20590 

Phone: 202-366-DATA [press 1]

Fax: 202-366-3197

Internet: www.bts.gov

BTS Information Service

Email: answers@bts.gov

1-800-853-1351

Recommended citation

U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics,

Freedom to Travel, BTS03-08

(Washington, DC: 2003).

All material contained in this report is in the public domain and 

may be used and reprinted without special permission; source 

citation is required.
iii

U.S. Department of

Transportation

Norman Y. Mineta

Secretary

Bureau of 

Transportation

Statistics

Rick Kowalewski

Deputy Director

John V. Wells

Chief Economist

William J. Chang

Associate Director for

Information Systems

Jeremy Wu

Acting Chief Statistician

Acknowledgments

Produced under the direction of:

Sharon Durant

Office of Survey Programs,

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Major contributors:

Margaret Sweeney

Dawn Tucker

Other contributors:

Jonaki Bose

Sharon Durant

Lee Giesbrecht

Michele Janis

June Jones

Neil Russell

Hossain Sanjani

Special acknowledgment and thanks to:

John Benison

Director, DOT Disability Resource Center

Bryna Helfer

Former Director, Project ACTION

 (Accessible Community Transportation in our Nation)

Alan Abeson

Director, Project ACTION

Marc Brenman

Office of Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Transportation

Editor:

Chip Moore

Report layout and production:

Dorinda Edmondson

v

Table of Contents

Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Survey Goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Survey Topics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Data Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Sample Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Survey Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Data Collection and Response Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Data Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Weighting and Variance Estimation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Data Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

1

Executive Summary

lmost any activity that people engage in

outside the home – working, managing personal business, socializing – relies on access to

transportation of some kind. And many factors,

from sidewalk design to the width of the airplane

aisles, affect peoples’ access to transportation.

Years of gathering data and conducting research

have focused on identifying the transportation

habits and needs of America’s general population, but until now, no national data has allowed

for analyses of the specific transportation habits

and needs of people with disabilities, nor provided for contrasts to the non-disabled population. Faced with a wide spectrum of

transportation demands, planners and policy

makers need this kind of information in order to

determine where transportation investments

should be made.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS),

an operating administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation, set out to fill this data

gap by developing and conducting the 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey.

The survey was designed to identify the impact

of transportation on the work and social lives of

people with disabilities, and the extent to which

such impact is unique to that population. The survey topics include:

 the number of people with disabilities who

never leave their homes because of transportation inadequacies;

 the types of transportation people with disabilities use for local and long-distance travel;

 their level of satisfaction with the system’s ability to provide safe, accessible, reliable, efficient,

affordable transportation; and

 the barriers or challenges that are posed by the

transportation environment, infrastructure, or

vehicles.

All data presented in this report have been

weighted to national totals. The data analysis

summary compares two population groups – one

comprised of people with disabilities and one

comprised of non-disabled people. It also compares and contrasts challenges encountered by

the two groups in their daily and non-routine

travels, as well as opinions regarding their transportation experiences. 

More than 5,000 people were interviewed for

the survey, about half of whom had disabilities.

The survey itself was developed with the participation and suggestions of various groups representing people with disabilities, and their

involvement extended to every phase of the

project.

The survey results indicate that:

 More than 3.5 million people in this country

never leave their homes. This is a national

homebound percentage of over 1 percent. More

than half of the homebound, 1.9 million, are

people with disabilities. About 528,000 people

with disabilities who never leave home experience transportation difficulties. 

 Regardless of disability status, personal motor

vehicles are used far more frequently for local

travel than any other transportation mode. The

majority of people, whether with or without

disabilities, drive most frequently to get to

work, to doctor and medical visits, for shopping

and other local travel. There is, however, a significant difference in the percentages of disabled

versus nondisabled drivers. For work, about 66

percent of those with disabilities drive most frequently for local travel, compared to almost 85

percent for nondisabled drivers.

 Proportionally, fewer people with disabilities

travel long distances (100 miles or more one

A
2

way) than nondisabled travelers. Among both

groups, the use of personal motor vehicles (as

either passenger or driver) and commercial airlines are the most frequent modes of transportation for long-distance travel.

 The types of difficulties encountered in using the

transportation system are very similar between

people with and without disabilities. Both

groups report bus and airline schedules not

being kept, inadequate seating on subways and

airplanes, and insensitive drivers encountered

while walking or biking.

Overall, the survey data indicate that much has

been accomplished to provide access to transportation, and that some needed improvements cited

both by people with and those without disabilities

(such as the need for audible and visual signage,

on-time performance) are good for everyone. The

survey data indicate the need to continue to identify and correct deficiencies in hardware and

schedules for public transportation, such as buses,

trains, and airplanes. There is also room for

progress in the softer side of travel – the “human

element.” Training transportation providers to be

sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities

and, moreover, to be prepared to provide the services to which the traveling public is rightfully entitled, is important. People with disabilities

represent over 53 million citizens of all ages in this

nation, and they want – and deserve – to fully participate in all this country has to offer. Further improvements in the transportation system will go

far in making such participation a reality. 
3

Freedom to Travel

Survey Goal

In terms of national transportation statistics, one

area that suffers from a critical lack of information

is transportation use by people with physical,

mental, or emotional disabilities. Little is known

about the ability of the nation’s transportation

system to meet the unique transportation needs

of people with disabilities. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) initiated the 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey to

fill this information gap and to allow government

and other researchers to analyze the data, report

the results, and provide an informed basis for the

development of transportation policies and

programs.

The goal of this survey is to create an information resource for transportation planners and

policy makers to use when developing national,

state, and local policies and programs for people

with disabilities.

Survey Topics

The survey gathered information in the following

subject areas:

 frequency of travel outside the home, including

trip purpose, mode of transportation, frequency

of use of different modes, need for assistance,

and satisfaction with transportation services;

 availability of paratransit (curb-to-curb service)

and respondent use of paratransit;

 personal motor vehicle ownership, use, and

safety issues, including vehicles modified for

use by people with disabilities; and

 experiences when using various modes of

travel, including difficulties with public and private transportation.

Survey respondents were asked to self-identify

disability according to several definitions,

specifically: 

 the Census 2000 definition, which applies when

one or more of the following conditions is met:

sensory (blindness, deafness, or severe vision or

hearing impairment), physical (substantial limitations in walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying), or long-lasting difficulties (6

months or more) in activities affecting learning,

remembering, or concentrating (mental); dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home

(self-care); going outside the home alone to

shop or visit a doctor’s office (going outside the

home); and, working at a job or business

(employment).

 the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

definition, which considers disability as a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits

one or more of the major life activities;” and

 if a child in the household received “special

education services.”

To provide comparability between the BTS survey and the decennial census, unless otherwise

noted, disability data presented in this report are

from respondents who self-identified their disabilities using the Census 2000 disability definition.
4

 Data Analysis

This section contains a summary of the disability

survey data. It is divided into three sections:

 Disability Information and Travel Outside the

Home 

 Local and Long-Distance Personal Travel, and 

 Personal Motor Vehicle Ownership and Use.

Detailed data tables showing weighted percents and standard errors for disabled and nondisabled individuals are contained in the

Appendix. The purpose of this Data Analysis section is to provide broad data findings based on a

distinction between the disabled and nondisabled

groups, as classified by the Census definition.

Other factors, such as the specific type of disability (e.g., vision, hearing, or physical disability),

age, and severity, are not explored in this report. 

DISABILITY INFORMATION AND TRAVEL 

OUTSIDE THE HOME

According to the 2000 decennial census, approximately 49.5 million people (19 percent) of the U.S.

resident (noninstitutionalized) population aged 5

years or older have a disability (see figure 1).1

 The

disability prevalence rate among children under

the age of 5 years is approximately 3 percent.2

Frequency of Travel Outside the Home

There are 3.5 million people in this country who

never leave their homes – a national homebound

percentage of over one percent (see figure 2 and appendix tables 1 to 9). More than half of the homebound, 1.9 million, are people with disabilities.

Overall, the majority of people with disabilities (62

percent) and those without disabilities (88 percent)

leave the home five to seven days a week. People

with disabilities who never leave home tend to be

older (average age 66) and have more severe disabilities (58 percent report their disability as severe)

than the disabled who leave home at least one day

per week (average age 50, and 22 percent reporting

severe disabilities). More people with disabilities

who never leave home need specialized assistance

or equipment to travel outside the home (57 percent) than do those who leave home at least once a

week (22 percent). And people with disabilities who

never leave home also have more difficulty getting

transportation (29 percent) than those who leave

home once a week or more (11 percent). Of those

people with disabilities who leave the home the

most – five to seven days per week – 14 percent

1

U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000. Summary File 3. 2

National Center for Health Statistics. Health United

States, 2002. Hyattsville, MD: 2002.

Figure 1

Percent of Persons Aged 5 Years or Older

with Disabilities

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000. Summary File

Figure 2

Number of Days Per Week People Leave Home

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of 

Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability 

and Use Survey

Persons without disabilities (nondisabled)

Persons with disabilities (disabled)

19%

81%

Never 1–2 days 3–4 days 5–7 days

0

20

40

60

80

100

Disabled Nondisabled

Number of days per week

Percent
5

need assistance to travel outside the home, and 8

percent have problems getting the transportation

they need.

Specialized Assistance Traveling Outside 

the Home

About 23 percent of individuals with disabilities

need some sort of specialized assistance or equipment to travel outside the home (see appendix tables 10 and 11). The most frequently cited types of

assistance needed are:

 cane, crutches, or walker – 48 percent

 assistance from another person while outside

the home – 33 percent

 manual wheelchair – 22 percent

 assistance from another person while inside the

home – 16 percent

 electric scooter or wheelchair – 10 percent

 oxygen – 8 percent

Difficulties Getting Needed Transportation

Twelve percent of people with disabilities have

difficulty getting the transportation they need,

compared to three percent of persons without

disabilities (see appendix tables 10 and 12). The

problems most frequently cited by individuals

with disabilities are:

 no or limited public transportation – 33 percent

 don’t have a car – 26 percent

 disability makes transportation hard to use – 17

percent

 no one to depend on – 12 percent

Of the nondisabled who have difficulty getting

the transportation they need, the reason cited

most often is no or limited public transportation –

47 percent.

LOCAL AND LONG-DISTANCE 

PERSONAL TRAVEL

Local Travel and Mode Choice

People use multiple modes of transportation for local travel. About 62 percent of people with disabilities who are 15 years or older, and about 86 percent

of the nondisabled who are 15 years or older, drove

motor vehicles in the month prior to the interview

for local travel – to work, shopping, doctor and

other medical appointments, and for other purposes (see figure 3 and appendix table 13). SeventyFigure 3

Transportation Modes Used in the Past Month for Local Travel

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National 

Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Motor vehicle driver

Motor vehicle passenger

Carpool

Public bus

Paratransit

Special transport

Private bus

School bus

Subway

Taxicab

Motorized personal transportation

Bicycle

Walk

Disabled Nondisabled

Percent

Type of transportation

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
6

seven percent of those with disabilities and 82 percent of the nondisabled rode in a personal motor vehicle as a passenger for local travel.

Forty-seven percent of people with disabilities

walked (which, in this survey, includes use of a nonmotorized wheelchair or scooter) for local travel

during the month prior to the interview, compared

to 58 percent of nondisabled persons. Similarly, a

higher percentage of nondisabled respondents, 33

percent, rode bicycles or other pedal cycles compared to 18 percent of disabled persons. 

A greater proportion of nondisabled persons

used carpools or vanpools/group cars or vans (14

percent), school buses (11 percent), and subway/

light rail/commuter trains (9 percent) than disabled persons (11 percent, 5 percent, and 6 percent, respectively) for local travel. 

Of those transportation means typically provided to assist people with disabilities, only 6 percent used motorized personal transportation,

such as electric wheelchairs, scooters or golf carts;

6 percent used paratransit vans or buses sponsored by the public transit authority; and 3 percent used specialized transportation services

provided by human services agencies.

However, driver status appears to affect the

type of transportation used in the past month (see

figure 4 and appendix table 14). More than 96 percent of the disabled and nondisabled who drive,

drive a personal motor vehicle for local travel. A

greater proportion of the disabled and nondisabled who do not drive use carpools,; the public

bus; the subway, light rail, or commuter train;

and taxicabs than do the disabled and nondisabled who drive (figure 4). 

Trip Purpose

Although both disabled and nondisabled workers

most often use personal motor vehicles to commute to paid or volunteer work, more workers

with disabilities ride as passengers (15 percent)

than do nondisabled workers (6 percent), while

more nondisabled individuals drive (85 percent)

than do disabled individuals (66 percent) (see figure 5 and appendix tables 15 and 16). 

Motor vehicles and school buses serve as the

primary transportation mode for commuting to

school for both the disabled and nondisabled.

About one-quarter of both disabled and nondisabled students ride a school bus, and another

quarter drive a motor vehicle to school most frequently. However, 36 percent of the nondisabled

students ride as a passenger in a personal motor

vehicle compared to 21 percent of the students

with disabilities. 

Most of the disabled and nondisabled most frequently use motor vehicles, either as a driver or

passenger, for transportation to the doctor and

other medical visits and for other local travel,

such as shopping and recreation. About 2 to 3

percent of both disabled and nondisabled use a

public bus for these trips.

Transportation Availability 

To some degree, transportation services are generally available to the disabled and nondisabled from

their homes (see figure 6 and appendix table 17). For

both groups, more than 50 percent live near a sidewalk or path, almost 60 percent have public

paratransit available in the area, and over threequarters have taxi service. About 25 percent live

within 5 miles of a subway/light rail/commuter

Figure 4

Type of Transportation Used by Disability Status

and Driver Status

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of 

Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability 

and Use Survey

Carpool Public bus Subway Taxicab

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Currently a driver, disabled

Currently a driver, nondisabled

Not currently a driver, disabled

Percent

Not currently a driver, nondisabled
7

train station. Slightly more of the people with disabilities (47 percent) live within one-quarter mile of

a bus stop than do the nondisabled (42 percent).

Transportation Use

The majority of disabled and nondisabled bus

riders and subway, light rail, and commuter train

users use the transportation service two or fewer

days per week for local travel, as do paratransit

riders3

 (see figure 7 and appendix tables 18 and

19). However, more of those with disabilities (42

percent) use the bus three or more days per week

than do the nondisabled (28 percent). When using

Figure 5

Trip Purpose

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National 

Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Figure 6

Transportation Availability

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National 

Transportation Availability and Use Survey

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Motor vehicle

driver

Motor vehicle

passenger

Public bus

School bus

Other

Percent of applicable population

Disabled Nondisabled

Work

School

Medical

Shopping/recreation

Work

School

Medical

Shopping/recreation

Near sidewalk/path

Live within 3/4 mile of bus stop

Live within 1/4 mile of bus stop

Subway within 5 miles of home

Public paratransit available in area

Taxi service available in area

Disabled Nondisabled

Percent

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

3

Paratransit is defined as service comparable to fixedroute transit for use by people with disabilities who are

unable to use the fixed-route system.
8

a bus; subway, light rail, and commuter train; or

paratransit service, most riders take one or two

one-way trips. More than 90 percent of disabled

and nondisabled public bus users; more than 88

percent of disabled and nondisabled subway,

light rail, and commuter train users; and 95 percent of disabled paratransit users take one or two

one-way trips (see appendix tables 20 and 21). 

Transportation Problems 

Of those who walk, bike, use paratransit, buses,

or subways, fewer than half of both disabled and

nondisabled transportation users experience

problems as pedestrians, as cyclists, on buses,

while using paratransit or at bus stops or at subway, light rail, or commuter train stations (see figure 8 and appendix tables 22 to 26). A higher

percentage of disabled walkers (49 percent) experienced problems than do nondisabled walkers

(37 percent).

Disabled and nondisabled transportation users

cited similar problems. When walking and biking, the most frequently cited problems were insensitive drivers, too few/missing sidewalks/

paths, and surface problems (potholes/cracks).

The primary problem for bus and paratransit riders was schedules not being kept. On buses and

on subways, light rails, and commuter trains,

crowded/inadequate seating was cited by both

Figure 7

Transit Use Frequency

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of 

Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability 

and Use Survey

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2 or fewer 3 or more

Percent

Bus Subway Paratransit Bus Subway

Disabled Nondisabled

Number of times used per week

Figure 8

Transportation Problems

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National 

Transportation Availability and Use Survey

As pedestrian

As cyclist

At bus stops

On buses

At subway stations

On subways

With paratransit

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Disabled Nondisabled

Transportation choice/location

Percent
9

disabled and nondisabled riders. Insensitive or

unaware passengers were also a problem for both

groups of riders.

Long-Distance Travel

Proportionally, fewer people with disabilities (60

percent) than without (76 percent) travel long distances (100 miles or more) (see appendix table

27). The two most frequently used modes of

transportation for long-distance travel for both

groups are personal motor vehicles (as either passenger or driver) and commercial airlines (see figure 9 and appendix table 28). Five percent or

fewer of disabled and nondisabled respondents

used other modes such as intercity bus (about 3

percent), private bus (almost 4 percent), and

Amtrak/intercity rail (almost 4 percent).

Approximately 55 percent of air travelers with

disabilities experience problems at airports compared to 45 percent of nondisabled air travelers

(see appendix table 29). Although cited as problems the most frequently by both disabled and

nondisabled air travelers, schedules not being

kept and restrictive security procedures were

cited as problems by more of the nondisabled air

travelers (38 percent and 49 percent, respectively)

as compared to the disabled air travelers (25 percent and 34 percent, respectively) (see appendix

table 30). Less than one-third of disabled and

nondisabled persons experience problems on airplanes (see appendix table 29). Inadequate seating on airplanes was cited by more than half of

the disabled and nondisabled air-travelers the

most frequently (see appendix table 31).

PERSONAL MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERSHIP 

AND USE

Personal Motor Vehicle Usage

About 65 percent of people with disabilities drive

a car or other motor vehicle compared with 88

percent of nondisabled persons. On average, disabled drivers drive 5 days per week compared

with 6 days per week for nondisabled drivers (see

appendix tables 32 and 33). 

Thirteen percent of those with disabilities live

in households that do not own or lease any

Figure 9

Transportation Modes Used for Long-Distance Travel During Past Year

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National 

Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Motor vehicle driver

Motor vehicle passenger

Airplane

Private or chartered bus

Intercity bus

Amtrak

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Disabled Nondisabled

Type of transportation

Percent
10

vehicle, 66 percent live in households that own or

lease one or two vehicles, and 21 percent live inhouseholds that own or lease three or more vehicles. Among the non-disabled, only 4 percent live

in households that do not own or lease any vehicles, 62 percent live in households that own or

lease one or two vehicles, and 34 percent live in

households that own or lease three or more vehicles. Of the 87 percent of the disabled that live in

households with at least one vehicle, 2 percent

own or lease a vehicle modified with adaptive devices or equipment (see appendix tables 34 to 36). 

Self-Imposed Limitations to Driving

People sometimes limit their driving in different

ways. More drivers with disabilities impose limitations on their driving than do nondisabled drivers

(see figure 10 and appendix tables 37 and 38).

Other factors, such as age, also influence the decision to impose restrictions. For example, 74 percent

of the disabled drivers age 75 or older and 54 percent of the nondisabled drivers age 75 or older

avoid driving at night compared to 34 percent of

disabled drivers and 21 percent of nondisabled

drivers, age 25 to 34. 

Driving Ability Perceptions

The survey sought to determine if a person’s perception of his or her driving ability as it relates to

certain physical characteristics has changed from 5

years ago. Although the majority of both disabled

and nondisabled drivers indicate that their capabilities are the same as they were 5 years ago, a

higher proportion of disabled drivers indicate their

capabilities in all categories – eyesight/night vision, attention span, hearing, coordination, reaction time to brake or swerve, and depth perception

– are worse than 5 years ago (see figures 11 and 12

and appendix table 39). Of particular note, 40 percent of disabled drivers compared to 28 percent of

Figure 10

Percent of Drivers Who Impose Restrictions

on Their Driving

Disabled Nondisabled

Drive less in bad weather 66.3 49.8

Drive less often than used to 64.5 32.2

Avoid driving during rush hour 58.0 42.0

Avoid busy roads and intersections 51.7 40.0

Avoid driving at night 51.5 25.8

Avoid driving distances > 100 miles 47.2 21.9

Avoid high-speed roads and highways 38.4 21.8

Avoid driving unfamiliar roads or places 38.0 27.5

Drive slower than speed limits 22.0 14.9

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of 

Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability 

and Use Survey

Figure 11

Driving Ability Perceptions by People with Disabilities

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 

National Transportation Availability and Use Survey Eyesight or night vision Attention span Hearing Coordination Reaction time to

brake or swerve

Depth perception

0

20

40

60

80

100

Better

Same

Worse

Percent
11

nondisabled drivers said their eyesight/night vision had declined. For the remaining categories,

the percentages of drivers with a perception of declining capabilities range between 12 and 21 percent for drivers with disabilities, but only from 4 to

7 percent for nondisabled drivers. Again, these

comparisons do not consider other factors such as

disability type or age.

Considerations to Discontinue Driving

At some point, people may decide to give up operating a motor vehicle under certain circumstances.

Approximately one-third of both disabled and

nondisabled drivers indicate they would consider

giving up driving if any of the following occurs:

 they feel they cannot operate a motor vehicle

safely,

 their eyesight declines, or

 they experience other physical limitations.

A higher percentage of nondisabled drivers

than disabled drivers indicate they would give

up driving when they reach a certain age (10.2

percent of nondisabled compared to 6.4 percent

of disabled) or had some other mental limitation

(7.7 of nondisabled compared to 5.3 percent of

disabled), while disabled drivers more often indicate they would give up driving if they caused a

crash (5.1 percent disabled compared to 2.9 percent non-disabled) (see figure 13 and appendix

table 40). Lastly, about 10 percent of both disabled

and nondisabled said they never plan to give up

driving.

Figure 12

Driving Ability Perceptions by Non-Disabled People

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 

National Transportation Availability and Use Survey Eyesight or night vision Attention span Hearing Coordination Reaction time to

brake or swerve

Depth perception

0

20

40

60

80

100

Better

Same

Worse

Percent

Figure 13

Factors Influencing Discontinuance of Driving

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of 

Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability 

and Use Survey

Cause crash Other mental

limitation

Reach a

certain age

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Disabled Nondisabled

Percent
12

Methodology

SAMPLE DESIGN

According to the 2000 decennial census, approximately 19 percent of the U.S. resident (noninstitutionalized) population aged 5 years or older has a

disability.4

The disability prevalence rate among children

under the age of 5 years is approximately 3 percent.5

 In addition, analysis of the 1995 National

Health Interview Survey on Disability (NHIS-D),

using disability measures similar to those used in

the decennial census, indicated that among

households with disabled people, 79 percent contained only one person with a disability, 18 percent contained two disabled persons, and the

remaining 3 percent contained three or more people with a disability.6

 This information was used

to estimate how many households would need to

be screened in order to interview at least 2,000

people with disabilities for this survey. 

The sample design employed list-assisted random-digit dialing (RDD) techniques to select a nationally representative set of telephone numbers

within all valid telephone exchanges in the United

States. Because this was a residential survey, all

business numbers were excluded. Also, because

calls to cellular phones may cost the respondent at

a per-minute rate, the sample frame excluded all

cell numbers. However, households having only

cell phones (that is, no “land line” in the household) were accounted for during the weighting

process. Weighting attempts to make the estimates

from a survey representative of the total population that was sampled, including making adjustments for imperfections in the sample frame. 

Because of the importance of including people

with disabilities in the universe from which this

survey sample was selected, the sample selection

process did not exclude any telephone numbers

identified as teletype (TTY) or teledata (TDD) that

would be used by people with hearing

impairments. 

A total of 40,000 phone numbers was released

for this survey; this figure included businesses,

nonworking numbers, and other cases that were

ultimately purged as ineligible for the survey. 

The sampling frame called for a two-staged respondent selection process. At the first stage, also

called the “screener” interview phase, the household phone number was dialed and any eligible

household member was asked questions pertaining to the household characteristics and whether

anyone in the household had a disability. The first

stage resulted in selection of a respondent for the

second stage, called the “extended” interview

4

U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000. Summary File 3. For

information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/

prod/cen2000/doc/sf3.pdf.

5

National Center for Health Statistics. Health United

States, 2002. Hyattsville, MD: 2002. 6

1994/95 National Health Interview Survey on Disability, original tabulations from public use data files.

Table 1

Characteristics of the Civilian Noninstitutionalized 

Population by Age, Disability Status, and Type of 

Disability: 2000

Total

Number Percent

Population 5 years and over 257,167,527 100.0

With any disability 49,746,248 19.3

Population 5 to 15 years 45,133,667 100.0

With any disability 2,614,919 5.8

 Sensory 442,894 1.0

 Physical 455,461 1.0

 Mental 2,078,502 4.6

 Self-care 419,018 0.9

Population 16 to 64 years 178,687,234 100.0

With any disability 33,153,211 18.6

 Sensory 4,123,902 2.3

 Physical 11,150,365 6.2

 Mental 6,764,439 3.8

 Self-care 3,149,875 1.8

 Going outside the home 11,414,508 6.4

 Employment disability 21,287,570 11.9

Population 65 years and over 33,346,626 100.0

With any disability 13,978,118 41.9

 Sensory 4,738,479 14.2

 Physical 9,545,680 28.6

 Mental 3,592,912 10.8

 Self-care 3,183,840 9.5

 Going outside the home 6,795,517 20.4

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000. Summary File
13

phase. At the second stage, the selected respondent verified his disability status and then answered the remaining questions for the survey. 

Of the 10,327 completed household “screener”

interviews, the survey identified 2,531 households with at least one person with a disability.

SURVEY PREPARATIONS

The BTS survey design called for a householdlevel “screening” questionnaire (to identify

whether or not a disabled person lived in the

household), followed by an “extended questionnaire” for each selected person. Persons of any

age (including children) were eligible to be interviewed. Proxy interviews with knowledgeable respondents were required for people under the

age of 16 years, for those aged 16 to17 years who

lived with adults, and for those who were unable

to complete the interviews for themselves due to

type or the severity of their impairments. 

In order to ensure full access to the interview

by all respondents, the extended (person-level)

questionnaire was available by computer-assisted

telephone interviewing (CATI), by mail, and by

Internet. Interviewers trained in the use of teletype (TTY) or teledata (TDD) communication devices were available to interview persons with

hearing difficulties. 

Because, according to Census 2000, about 5

percent of residents in this country speak only

Spanish, and again in order to promote full access

to the interview for each person selected for interview, a select group of Spanish-speaking interviewers was available to administer the CATI

questionnaire to respondents who spoke Spanish

but not English. 

Questionnaire Development

BTS provided a questionnaire draft to its contractor, Westat, a private survey research firm located

in Rockville, Maryland. The contractor conducted

cognitive interviews with 41 paid respondents (20

with disabilities) to ensure that the questionnaire

content, flow, and response categories would yield

the highest-quality survey data.

Once the CATI questionnaire was final, it was

then coded for Internet response and printed for

mail response in case either of these data collection modes was requested by respondents. Ultimately the internet and mail versions were also

offered to mild refusals and all likely residential

households where the interviewers reached answering machines. During the editing phase of

the survey, the Internet and mail questionnaires

were keyed into the CATI system, which resulted

in a single survey database for analysis.

Interviewers

The contractor employed a total of 84 interviewers

for the survey, all current or former employees

with experience in telephone interviewing; there

were no new hires used for this survey. All interviewers were under the direct supervision of an

experienced group of supervisors, with a ratio of

supervisors to interviewers of 1:5, or 20 percent.

Interviewer Training

Because only experienced interviewers were used

on the project, each received 4 hours of general interviewing skills training when first hired and, in

addition, had on-the-job experience with at least

one CATI survey prior to the BTS survey. Every interviewer working on this survey received 16

hours of survey-specific training to become familiar with all interview-related terms, every item on

the household and extended questionnaires, and

all answer categories and answer-dependent skip

patterns. A significant portion of the training involved sensitivity to the needs of persons with disabilities, such as interviewing those with hearing,

other physical, or mental conditions. 

Respondent Materials

Mailing introductory letters prior to the first telephone call to households has been shown to improve overall cooperation rates.7

 After the listassisted RDD sample of 40,000 numbers was

drawn and purged (of nonresidential or nonworking numbers), the 10,327 remaining residential

cases were passed through the databases of multiple vendors to append mailing addresses for the

sampled telephone numbers. 

7

Groves, R.M. (1989). Survey Errors and Survey Costs.

New York, John Wiley and Sons.
14

Address matches were obtained for approximately 77 percent of all in-scope telephone numbers, and for 88 percent of all the completed

interviews. Households for which mailing addresses were obtained were sent a pre-screening

package containing a cover letter signed by the

Director of the BTS, asking for survey cooperation, and a brochure describing the survey.

DATA COLLECTION AND RESPONSE 

RATES

Interviewing began on July 12, 2002 and closed out

on September 29, 2002. 

Computer-assisted telephone interviewing

(CATI) screening was used to identify households

with one or more occupants of any age with a disability. In households where only one occupant

had a disability, that person was selected for the

survey. In households with two or more disabled

people, one person was selected using the “next

birthday” method. CATI screening was also used

to select respondents without disabilities from a

subsample of nondisabled households, again using the “next birthday” method to identify the selected respondent. The subsampling was

designed to achieve roughly equal numbers of interviews for people with disabilities and people

without disabilities. This was an important component of the survey design because it provides a

basis to compare the two groups and identify

common transportation uses and problems as

well as uses and problems unique to each group.

Each person selected in the screening phase

was asked to complete a CATI “extended questionnaire” to provide detailed transportation information about his or her transportation

availability, use, and satisfaction. 

The target for completed “extended interviews” was 4,000 persons: 2,000 with disabilities

and 2,000 without disabilities. 

Respondents who initially refused participation in the survey were recontacted several times.

FedEx letters, mail questionnaires, and Internet

instructions were also sent to 648 households

where interviewers reached an answering machine, but had not reached a household member

to complete the interview.

Prior to or during interviewing, over 2,000

numbers were identified as possible fax/modem

lines. Interviewers specially trained to use TTY/

TDD machines called all of these numbers and,

when a TTY/TDD was encountered, offered the

respondent an Internet or mail verson of the

survey. 

Interviewers actually completed 5,019 interviews: 2,321 with disabled people (who self-identified as such through any of the disability

questions asked: Census 2000, ADA, and special

education) and 2,698 nondisabled people. Please

note that, although this report uses only the

Census 2000 questions as the disability indicator, the public use data files and documentation

include many different disability measures, allowing analysts to construct their own definition of disability using the multiple items in the

survey. 

A separate variable, CDISABLD, identifies if a

respondent reported one or more of the several

Census disabilities. The purpose of this variable is

to assist users who may want to compare the results of this survey with Census 2000 data, according to a common set of disability items.

However, the decennial census collected disability information about those aged 5 years or older,

while the BTS survey included persons of all

ages. Therefore, when comparing the data, users

should select only persons who are aged 5 years

or older from the BTS dataset.

In addition to the 2000 Census disability items,

this survey asked two questions about a disability

related to the Americans with Disabilities Act

(ADA) and one question about the receipt of special education services, which are designed for

children with disabilities. A second constructed

disability variable, TDISABLD, identified if a respondent reported any of the ADA items, the special education item, or the Census disability items.

The purpose of this composite measure is to give

the user a variable that identifies respondents reporting any of the disabilities in this survey. 

The overall response rate for this survey was

56.03% and was calculated in accordance with the

standards defined by the Council of American

Survey Research Organizations (CASRO, 1982).

This survey design required that the overall rate
15

be computed as the product of the screener interview response rate (64.25%) and the extended interview response rate (87.21%).

DATA QUALITY

The survey implemented quality control measures

at every phase. Survey methodologists reviewed

the screening questions to ensure that the wording

would reduce the incidence of under- or over-coverage of people with disabilities. The CATI and Internet software underwent thorough testing to ensure

that the programs mimicked hardcopy questionnaire specifications. The quality control procedures

during the prescreener mailing ensured that each

household where an address was available was

mailed a letter prior to receiving a telephone call. 

Interviewers were monitored, and retrained

when necessary, by management and supervisory

staff from the first to the last day of data collection. Questionnaire keying (for those cases not

collected by CATI) were 100% verified. 

The CATI system automatically edited for correct ranges, response numbers, and inconsistencies. CATI files were repeatedly checked for

consistency during the data collection period. Interviewer comments and problem sheets were reviewed daily and updated as necessary.

Frequencies of responses to all data items were

reviewed to ensure that appropriate skip patterns

were followed. 

During post-processing, BTS mathematical

statisticians and data analysts carefully reviewed

the data files for consistency and accuracy, and

worked closely with the contractor to make any

needed corrections. 

WEIGHTING AND VARIANCE ESTIMATION

Weighting is a process to make the estimates from

the survey representative of the total population

from which the sample was drawn. It does this by

accounting for the chances of selecting units into

the sample and making adjustments for imperfections in the sample frame. 

Survey weights were developed to reduce the

bias introduced by:

 nonresponse cases,

 unknown residential status,

 nontelephone households,

 multiple telephone line households, and

 subsampling for disability status. 

The weighting process began with a base

weight that was adjusted to account for nonresponse and undercoverage. The base weight is

the inverse of the probability of selection of the

sampled unit. During the weighting process, additional information from external sources, such

as the Census, was used to benchmark the

weights and achieve consistency between totals

from the survey data and the external sources. In

order to produce estimates, weights were applied

to sample data to estimate aggregate statistics. In

particular, survey data were weighted to accomplish the following objectives:

 compensate for differential probabilities of

selection for households and persons;

 reduce biases occurring because nonrespondents may have different characteristics from

respondents;

 adjust, to the extent possible, for undercoverage

in the sampling frames and in the conduct of the

survey; and

 reduce the variance of the estimates by using

auxiliary information.

Each final weight is the result of a series of sequential adjustments made to the base weights.

As part of the weighting process, a household

weight is created for all households that completed the screener interview. The household

weight is the base weight computed as the inverse of the probability of selection of the sample

telephone number adjusted for:

 unknown residential status,

 screener interview nonresponse,

 multiple telephone numbers,

 subsampling for disability status, and

 household poststratification.

The poststratified household-level weight is adjusted to create an individual-level (person) weight

for each extended interview. The adjustments incor-
16

porate the within-household probability of selection

of the sampled person and account for nonresponse. Similar to the creation of the householdlevel weights, each of the adjustments corresponds

to a multiplicative weighting factor applied to the

individual-level weight. For the individual-level

weights the following factors are included:

 probability of selection of the person,

 extended interview nonresponse adjustment,

 trimming, and

 raking to person-level control totals.

A full discussion of the weighting and variance estimation procedures is available as part of the survey

documentation and will be available at the BTS

website when the public use data file is posted. 

Data Availability

The survey public use data and documentation

from BTS’ 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey will be posted to its Web site at:

http://www.bts.gov/omnibus/targeted/index.html

As described in the “Sample Design” section of

this report, the survey used a two-staged respondent selection process. The first (or “screener”) stage

was at the household level and the second (or “extended interview”) stage was at the person level.

Please note that the public use data file consists of

person level records. For this reason, the counts produced from this data set are person-level rather than

household-level figures. Also, because this is a person file, with only individual-level weights, many of

the household-level screener variables asked at the

first stage are not applicable at the person level and,

therefore, do not appear in the public use data file.

This includes the ADA disability questions. However, if either of the screener-level ADA items were

the sole basis for identifying a person with a disability for an extended interview, this was reflected in

the construction of the TDISABLD variable.

The documentation includes user notes, a

codebook/data dictionary, and frequency tables

for each item.

In addition to the different types of information contained in the data files, they are provided

in these formats:

 SAS 8.0 format, including label statements (variable and value labels),

 SPSS 10.0 format,

 Microsoft Excel for Windows, and

 ASCII comma delimited.

BTS makes the public use data available for analytical use by anyone without prior permission

from BTS, but does require that any publications

using the data acknowledge the Bureau of Transportation Statistics as the data source. 

Please e-mail a copy of any published analyses

that use this survey’s data to David Smallen, the

BTS Public Information Officer, at:

David.Smallen@bts.gov

BTS plans to continue to analyze the survey data

and will develop Issue Briefs from the data for selected topics of interest. These can be accessed

through this BTS Web site address as they become

available: www.bts.gov/publications/issue_brief.
17

Appendix

The following tables provide documentation for

the data summary section. Each table contains the

weighted percent or weighted mean and the standard error. Cells with a small sample size (<30)

are shaded to indicate that the weighted estimates based on a small sample size are not reliable. Cells in italics indicate a coefficient of

variation greater than 30 percent and numbers

are not reliable. Cells with bold type indicate significant differences (p <.05) between disabled and

nondisabled individuals. 

TABLES FOR DISABILITY INFORMATION AND TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE HOME

 

Table 1

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Number of Days They Leave Home Per Week

Disability status

Days leave home per week

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Never leaves home 3.89

(0.46)

0.72 percent

(0.21)

Leaves home 1–2 days 16.57

(1.08)

3.53

(0.47)

Leaves home 3–4 days 17.79

(1.25)

7.94

(0.67)

Leaves home 5–7 days 61.76

(1.42)

87.61

(0.78)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 2

Average Age (years) of Disabled and Nondisabled by Number of Days They Leave the Home Per Week 

Disability status

Days leave home per week

Disabled

Mean 

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Mean 

(Standard error)

Never leaves home 65.65 years

(3.40)

24.57 years

(5.85)

Leaves home 1–2 days 59.50

(1.50)

27.75

(3.00)

Leaves home 3–4 days 56.65

(1.40)

29.38

(1.90)

Leaves home 5–7 days 45.73

(0.64)

32.35

(0.24)

Total average age 50.73

(0.36)

31.90

(0.13)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
18

Table 3

Average Age (years) of Disabled and Nondisabled by Number of Days They Leave the Home Per Week 

Disability status

Days leave home per week

Disabled

Mean 

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Mean 

(Standard error)

Never leaves home 65.65 years

(3.40)

24.57 years

(5.85)

Leaves home at least one day a week 50.12

(0.42)

31.95

(0.14)

Total average age 50.73

(0.36)

31.90

(0.13)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 4

Percent of Disabled by Number of Days They Leave the Home Per Week and Disability Severity 

Disability status

Days leave home per week Disability severity

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

(not applicable)

Never leaves home Mild 12.46

(3.61)

Moderate 29.53

(5.13)

Severe 58.01

(5.40)

Leaves home 1–2 days per week Mild 27.17

(4.07)

Moderate 39.83

(2.96)

Severe 33.00

(2.94)

Leaves home 3–4 days per week Mild 29.91

(3.47)

Moderate 40.41

(3.31)

Severe 29.69

(3.41)

Leaves home 5–7 days per week Mild 42.95

(2.58)

Moderate 40.43

(2.63)

Severe 16.63

(1.30)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
19

Table 5

Percent of Disabled by Number of Days They Leave the Home Per Week and Disability Severity 

Number of days leave the home

per week Disability severity

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

(not applicable)

Never leaves home Mild 12.46 

(3.61)

Moderate 29.53

(5.13)

Severe 58.01

(5.40)

Leaves home at least 1 day per 

week

Mild 37.84

(2.07)

Moderate 40.38

(1.95)

Severe 21.84

(1.30)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 6

Percent of Disabled that Need Specialized Assistance or Equipment to Travel Outside the Home by Number of 

Days They Leave the Home 

Disability status

Number of days leaves the home per week

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled 

Percent

(Standard error)

Never leaves home 57.07 percent

(6.38)

0

Leaves home 1–2 days per week 40.59

(4.04)

0.14

(0.16)

Leaves home 3–4 days per week 32.24

(2.94)

2.82

(1.85)

Leaves home 5–7 days per week 13.55

(1.49)

0.48

(0.20)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 7

Percent of Disabled that Have Difficulties Getting the Transportation Needed With Transportation by Number 

of Days They Leave the Home Per Week 

Disability status

Number of days leaves the home per week

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled 

Percent

(Standard error)

Never leaves home 28.79

(4.86)

0

Leaves home 1–2 days per week 19.00

(2.33)

11.71

(5.35)

Leaves home 3–4 days per week 14.17

(1.96)

2.01

(0.99)

Leaves home 5–7 days per week 8.44

(1.22)

3.15

(0.52)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
20

Table 8

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Travel Outside the Home by Need for Specialized Assistance or 

Equipment 

Disability status

Number of days leave the home per week

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled 

Percent

(Standard error)

Never leaves home 57.07

(6.38)

0

Leaves home at least one day per week 21.63

(1.32)

0.66

(0.22)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 9

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Travel Outside the Home by Difficulties Getting Transportation 

Needed 

Disability status

Number of days leave the home per week

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled 

Percent

(Standard error)

Never leaves home 28.79

(4.86)

0

Leaves home at least one day per week 11.30

(0.91)

3.37

(0.50)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 10

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled that Need Specialized Assistance or Equipment to Travel Outside the 

Home or Have Difficulty Getting the Transportation Needed 

Disability status

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Need specialized assistance or equipment to travel 

outside the home

22.95

(1.26)

.66

(0.22)

Have difficulty getting the transportation needed 12.19

(0.88)

3.32

(0.49)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
21

Table 11

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled that Need Specialized Assistance or Equipment 

to Travel Outside the Home by Type of Assistance Needed 

Specialized equipment or assistance

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Assistance from person while inside the home 16.22

(1.87)

1.70

(1.45)

Assistance from person while outside the home 33.07

(2.95)

1.58

(1.53)

Interpreter 0.37

(0.26)

0

Professional care (rehab or counseling) 1.29

(0.52)

0

Service animal 0.21

(0.21)

0

Manual wheelchair 21.85

(2.35)

1.83

(1.49)

Electric scooter or wheelchair 10.47

(1.63)

0.83

(0.88)

Cane, crutches, or walker 48.42

(3.41)

13.87

(8.22)

Leg, arm, or back brace 4.44

(1.13)

0

Prosthetic device 1.83

(0.62)

0.40

(0.41)

Automotive adaptive aid 4.20

(0.85)

56.63

(17.69)

Public transportation aid 5.41

(1.41)

0

Hearing aid 3.28

(1.02)

0

Magnifiers or high-powered glasses 2.42

(0.86)

0

Oxygen 7.82

(1.55)

3.28

(2.09)

Medication 2.38

(0.75)

2.91

(3.12)

Other 3.00

(0.73)

1.05

(1.11)

Home modifications 1.01

(0.43)

0

Other medical equipment 6.83

(2.52)

19.36

(18.90)

NOTE: Some of the nondisabled who require specialized assistance such as motorized wheelchairs or automotive adaptive aids may not meet 

the Census definition of disability. For example, individuals of short stature sometimes require the use of pedal extenders to drive a motor 

vehicle yet are not considered to be disabled.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
22

Table 12

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled that Have Difficulty Getting the Transportation Needed by Type of 

Difficulty 

Difficulty with getting needed transportation

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Don’t have a car 26.13

(3.66)

23.19

(5.56)

No or limited public transportation 33.50

(4.12)

46.62

(6.51)

No or limited taxi service 5.11

(1.52)

5.59

(2.60)

Buses don’t run on time 12.88

(3.11)

13.02

(3.86)

Buses don’t run when needed 8.17

(1.72)

16.86

(6.17)

Bus stops are too far away 7.64

(1.78)

10.36

(3.38)

Transportation doesn’t accommodate special 

equipment

3.94

(1.09)

0

Disability makes transportation hard to use 16.85

(2.31)

0.38

(0.38)

Costs too much 7.35

(1.82)

3.49

(1.74)

Don’t want to ask for help/inconvenience others 10.49

(2.76)

6.47

(3.40)

There’s no one I can depend on 11.67

(2.35)

1.99

(1.43)

Fear of crime stops me from going places 0.93

(0.65)

4.73

(4.01)

Other 25.77

(3.42)

23.33

(6.24)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
23

TABLES FOR LOCAL AND LONG DISTANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL

Table 13

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Who Used Type of Transportation in Past Month for Local Travel 

Disability status

Type of transportation

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Drive a personal motor vehicle such as a car, minivan, 

or SUV (15 years and older)

62.40

(1.68)

86.15

(0.83)

Ride in a personal motor vehicle as a passenger 77.39

(1.54)

82.07

(0.78)

Ride in a carpool or vanpool 10.52

(1.17)

13.92

(0.86)

Ride on a public bus such as a transit bus or city bus 12.23

(1.00)

12.59

(0.79)

Use curb-to-curb transportation provided by a public 

transportation authority for persons with disabilities 

(demand responsive service or paratransit service)

5.51

(0.52)

1.48

(0.49)

Ride on a specialized transportation services provided 

by human service agencies

3.47

(0.46)

2.04

(1.43)

Ride on private or chartered bus 4.47

(0.68)

5.52

(0.53)

Ride on a school bus 4.91

(0.72)

10.52

(0.71)

Ride on a subway/light rail/commuter train 6.09

(0.75)

9.48

(0.71)

Take a taxicab 10.75

(1.13)

9.47

(0.66)

Use an electric wheelchair, scooter, golf cart, or other 

motorized personal transportation

5.59

(0.57)

2.50

(0.38)

Ride a bicycle or other pedal cycle 17.53

(1.33)

33.47

(0.96)

Walk, including using a nonmotorized wheelchair or 

scooter, on sidewalks, at crosswalks, or intersections

46.55

(1.75)

57.90

(1.05)

Use another type of transportation 5.74

(0.97)

5.33

(0.49)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
24

Table 14

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Who Used Type of Transportation in Past Month for Local Travel by 

Driver Status 

Currently a driver Currently not a driver

Type of transportation

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Drive a personal motor vehicle such as a car, 

minivan, or SUV

96.94

(0.44)

98.55

(0.30)

N/A N/A

Ride in a personal motor vehicle as a passenger 71.17

(1.97)

77.94

(0.94)

86.01

(2.53)

78.77

(3.55)

Ride in a carpool or vanpool 6.49

(1.15)

11.71

(0.98)

16.30

(2.64)

18.56

(3.13)

Use curb-to-curb transportation provided by a 

public transportation authority for persons with 

disabilities (demand responsive service or 

paratransit service)

2.02

(0.50)

1.74

(0.80)

12.58

(1.61)

2.18

(1.61)

Ride on a specialized transportation services 

provided by human services agencies

1.88

(0.54)

3.33

(2.53)

6.78

(1.09)

0.44

(0.46)

Ride on private or chartered bus 3.17

(0.69)

4.78

(0.60)

5.82

(1.29)

5.41

(1.81)

Ride on a school bus 2.57

(0.89)

5.02

(0.63)

3.43

(0.81)

10.04

(2.61)

Ride on a subway/light rail/commuter train 4.01

(0.63)

9.65

(0.86)

10.61

(1.96)

17.21

(3.22)

Take a taxicab 5.82

(1.07)

9.34

(0.71)

21.87

(2.72)

23.38

(3.46)

Use an electric wheelchair, scooter, golf cart, or 

other motorized personal transportation

5.28

(0.69)

2.88

(0.45)

6.91

(1.21)

0.06

(0.06)

Ride a bicycle or other pedal cycle 14.20

(1.76)

25.74

(1.11)

14.21

(2.40)

31.11

(3.47)

Walk, including using a nonmotorized wheelchair 

or scooter, on sidewalks, at crosswalks, or 

intersections

48.16

(2.42)

61.54

(1.38)

40.21

(3.11)

52.98

(4.17)

Use another type of transportation 5.07

(0.88)

6.07

(0.60)

6.81

(2.49)

5.60

(1.86)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
25

Table 15

Percent of Applicable (e.g., worker, student) Disabled and Nondisabled by Type of Transportation Used Most 

Often to Commute to Paid or Volunteer Work, School, Doctor or Medical Visits, and Other Local Travel, Such as 

Shopping and Recreation

Work or volunteer School Doctor and medical visits

Other local travel, such as 

shopping and recreation

Type of transportation

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Personal motor vehicle 

as driver

66.37

(3.02)

84.81

(1.05)

26.99

(4.47)

22.59

(1.431)

53.11

(1.54)

61.07

(0.64)

52.44

(1.66)

60.72

(0.67)

Personal motor vehicle 

as passenger

15.18

(2.53)

5.97

(0.64)

21.07

(3.26)

36.45

(1.95)

36.84

(1.63)

33.65

(0.68)

36.43

(1.54)

32.95

(0.68)

Motorized personal 

transportation

0 0 0 0 0 0 0.13

(0.08)

0

Carpool or vanpool/

group car/van

1.91

(1.13)

0.42

(0.16)

3.41

(3.19)

1.17

(0.51)

0.60

(0.48)

0.04

(0.02)

0.62

(0.48)

0.10

(0.09)

Commercial airplane 0.10

(0.10)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Private or charter 

airplane

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Intercity bus 0.17

(0.17)

0.03

(0.03)

0 0 0.11

(0.08)

0.02

(0.02)

0.11

(0.08)

0

Private or chartered bus 0.31

(0.20)

0.04

(0.04)

0 0.26

(0.18)

0 0 0 0

Public bus 5.34

(1.72)

2.78

(0.56)

3.68

(1.25)

2.14

(0.56)

3.36

(0.51)

2.72

(0.43)

3.35

(0.58)

2.04

(0.31)

School bus 0.18

(0.18)

0 25.76

(3.74)

23.78

(2.00)

0 0 0 0

Paratransit van/bus by 

public trans authority

1.45

(0.66)

0.03

(0.03)

1.68

(0.74)

0 1.23

(0.31)

0 0.57

(0.16)

0

Special transportation 

services by human 

services agency

0.56

(0.30)

0 0.65

(0.37)

0.03

(0.02)

1.09

(0.25)

0.04

(0.03)

0.24

(0.15)

0.08

(0.06)

Amtrak/intercity 0 0 0 0 0.05

(0.05)

0 0.06

(0.06)

0

Subway/light rail/or 

commuter train

1.40

(0.46)

1.56

(0.44)

2.85

(2.26)

0.87

(0.32)

0.55

(0.30)

0.67

(0.19)

0.49

(0.30)

0.56

(0.16)

Bicycle/pedal cycles 1.18

(0.52)

0.77

(0.23)

1.66

(0.65)

2.04

(0.57)

0.09

(0.08)

0.14

(0.08)

1.14

(0.42)

1.36

(0.26)

Taxicab 0.65

(0.28)

0.09

(0.05)

0 0 1.25

(0.31)

0.27

(0.10)

1.09

(0.32)

0.36

(0.15)

Works at home/homeschooled

0.92

(0.32)

0.94

(0.33)

2.09

(1.38)

0.46

(0.28)

0 0 0 0

Telecommutes 0 0 0.85

(0.71)

0.078

(0.08)

0 0 0 0

Walking/nonmotorized 

wheelchair

2.93

(0.88)

2.21

(0.47)

5.98

(2.77)

9.20

(1.34)

1.37

(0.50)

1.27

(0.29)

2.77

(0.73)

1.61

(0.35)

Other transportation 1.37

(0.50)

0.36

(0.13)

3.35

(1.13)

0.95

(0.43)

0.35

(0.16)

0.11

(0.09)

0.56

(0.17)

0.24

(0.11)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
26

Table 16

Percent of Applicable (e.g., worker, student) Disabled and Nondisabled by Type of Transportation Used Most 

Often to Commute toPaid or Volunteer Work, School, Doctor or Medical Visits, and Other Local Travel, Such as 

Shopping and Recreation 

Work or volunteer School

Doctor and medical 

visits

Other local travel, such 

as shopping and 

recreation

Type of transportation

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Personal motor vehicle 

as driver

66.37

(3.02)

84.81

(1.05)

26.99

(4.47)

22.59

(1.43)

53.11

(1.54)

61.07

(0.64)

52.44

(1.66)

60.72

(0.67)

Personal motor vehicle 

as passenger

15.18

(2.53)

5.97

(0.64)

21.07

(3.26)

36.45

(1.95)

36.84

(1.63)

33.65

(0.68)

36.43

(1.54)

32.93

(0.68)

Public bus 5.34

(1.72)

2.78

(0.56)

3.68

(1.25)

2.14

(0.56)

3.36

(0.51)

2.72

(0.43)

3.35

(0.58)

2.04

(0.31)

School bus 0.18

(0.18)

0 25.76

(3.74)

23.78

(2.00)

00 00

Other transportation 12.94

(1.84)

6.44

(0.73)

22.51

(4.46)

15.05

(1.54)

6.68

(0.84)

2.55

(0.41)

7.79

(0.97)

4.31

(0.49)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 17

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Availability of Transportation 

Disability status

Availability

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Near sidewalk/path 56.27

(1.56)

59.87

(1.17)

Live within 3⁄4 mile of bus stop 55.86

(1.39)

56.60

(1.13)

Live within 1⁄4 mile of bus stop 46.55

(1.53)

42.42

(1.08)

Subway/light rail/commuter train within 5 miles of 

home

23.53

(1.38)

24.06

(0.88)

Public paratransit available in area 58.25

(1.86)

59.16

(1.36)

Taxi service available in area 77.97

(1.44)

80.77

(0.95)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
27

Table 18

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Transportation Users by Number of Days Per Week Use Transportation in 

the Past Month 

Public bus Subway, light rail, or commuter train Public paratransit

Number of days 

per week

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

<1 24.01

(3.63)

29.72

(3.43)

34.19

(6.51)

37.29

(3.66)

38.07

(5.49)

49.30

(17.20)

1 16.75

(3.05)

27.43

(2.96)

18.86

(4.19)

26.72

(3.21)

21.69

(4.81)

8.90

(7.95)

2 16.75

(4.10)

14.92

(2.62)

9.19

(2.87)

14.07

(2.99)

13.45

(3.98)

0

3 15.62

(3.33)

8.18

(1.76)

15.72

(7.32)

3.83

(1.32)

14.58

(3.23)

7.94

(8.52)

4 3.87

(1.36)

6.75

(1.98)

6.67

(4.50)

1.72

(0.81)

4.38

(2.77)

16.75

(12.63)

5 16.75

(5.38)

9.43

(2.12)

11.26

(3.49)

14.01

(2.82)

7.82

(2.23)

17.10

(10.09)

6 2.66

(1.12)

2.76

(1.37)

0.43

(0.44)

0 0 0

7 3.77

(1.52)

0.80

(0.28)

3.68

(2.20)

2.35

(1.33)

0 0

Mean days 2.50

(0.20)

1.93

(0.13)

2.13

(0.21)

1.78

(0.17)

1.68

(0.16)

2.10

(0.61)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 19

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Transportation Users by Number of Days Per Week Use Transportation in 

the Past Month 

Public bus Subway, light rail, or commuter train Public paratransit

Number of 

days per 

week

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

2 or fewer 57.50

(5.14)

72.07

(3.23)

62.24

(7.49)

78.09

(3.51)

73.21

(4.47)

58.21

(16.36)

3 or more 42.50

(5.14)

27.93

(3.23)

37.76

(7.49)

21.91

(3.51)

26.79

(4.47)

41.79

(16.36)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
28

Table 20

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Transportation Users by Number of One-Way Trips a Day 

Public bus Subway, light rail, or commuter train Public paratransit

Number of 

one-way 

trips a day

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

1 33.19

(5.07)

34.39

(3.26)

25.85

(6.02)

29.43

(3.84)

40.56

(6.20)

56.98

(17.02)

2 60.27

(4.90)

57.30

(3.57)

62.14

(6.59)

62.48

(4.22)

55.15

(6.12)

43.02

(17.02)

3 3.80

(1.40)

2.78

(1.00)

8.33

(5.41)

3.17

(1.42)

0.88

(0.88)

0

4 1.77

(0.77)

4.01

(1.64)

1.43

(1.08)

2.89

(1.17)

2.34

(1.48)

0

5 0.44

(0.44)

0.69

(0.68)

1.83

(1.87)

1.18

(1.20)

0 0

6 0.55

(0.42)

0.20

(0.14)

0.42

(0.42)

0.57

(0.40)

0 0

7 0 0 0 0 0 0

8 0 0.09

(0.09)

0 0 0 0

9 0 0 0 0 0 0

10 0 0.53

(0.53)

0 0.28

(0.28)

1.08

(1.09)

0

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 21

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Transportation Users by Number of One-Way Trips a Day 

Public bus Subway, light rail, or commuter train Public paratransit

Number of 

one-way 

trips a day

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard 

error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

1–2 93.45

(1.68)

91.69

(2.11)

87.99

(5.60)

91.91

(2.64)

95.71

(2.02)

100.00

0

More than 2 6.55

(1.68)

8.31

(2.11)

12.01

(5.60)

8.09

(2.64)

4.29

(2.02)

0

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
29

Table 22

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems with Local Transportation 

Disability status

Type of transportation

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

As a pedestrian 48.60

(2.57)

36.75

(1.35)

As a cyclist 40.15

(4.57)

35.23

(1.87)

At bus stops 41.77

(4.96)

33.99

(3.43)

On a the bus 31.91

(4.29)

23.15

(2.77)

At subway/light rail/commuter train stations 36.46

(6.59)

38.02

(3.95)

While on the subway/light rail/commuter trains 33.64

(5.51)

26.00

(3.52)

Public paratransit service 29.42

(5.98)

34.09

(17.98)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 23

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems as a Pedestrian or as a Cyclist for Local Travel 

As a pedestrian As a cyclist

Problems

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Audible/visual/tactile info limited 3.71

(1.92)

2.49

(0.75)

1.59

(0.82)

0.98

(0.28)

Crosswalk time too short 11.31

(2.94)

6.37

(1.05)

1.16

(0.86)

1.10

(0.61)

Crosswalks not marked/missing 11.22

(2.50)

11.88

(1.70)

7.32

(6.27)

5.53

(1.55)

Curb cut/ramp/stair/grade problems 7.48

(1.05)

5.55

(1.16)

7.42

(5.79)

3.01

(1.43)

Difficult to see/be seen 3.08

(1.02)

1.47

(0.49)

3.55

(2.01)

3.97

(1.30)

Don’t know when it’s safe to cross 10.94

(2.46)

7.14

(1.48)

3.15

(1.96)

2.89

(1.42)

Drainage poor 3.11

(2.30)

0.14

(0.14)

0 0.89

(0.64)

Drivers don’t stop for me 16.44

(2.39)

18.55

(1.83)

11.93

(4.10)

12.16

(1.77)

Grates and gaps 1.08

(0.48)

1.80

(0.66)

0.38

(0.39)

1.29

(0.74)

Insensitive/unaware drivers 24.34

(2.85)

25.09

(2.32)

26.87

(6.93)

24.36

(2.62)

Insensitive/unaware pedestrians 1.86

(0.72)

4.12

(1.06)

1.81

(1.35)

3.56

(1.25)

Lighting inadequate 3.76

(2.29)

1.74

(0.70)

1.44

(1.17)

0.67

(0.51)

(continued)
30

Table 23

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems as a Pedestrian or as a Cyclist for Local Travel 

(Continued)

As a pedestrian As a cyclist

Problems

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Median/island problems 0.91

(0.50)

0.61

(0.31)

1.15

(0.83)

0

Moving traffic too close to me 3.73

(1.02)

5.40

(1.02)

16.74

(6.08)

15.07

(1.83)

Obstacles/protusions/low clearance 5.50

(1.09)

5.65

(1.27)

5.11

(3.21)

5.47

(1.29)

Passing space/width limited 3.13

(0.76)

1.81

(0.59)

13.14

(6.02)

10.08

(1.88)

Surface problems (potholes/cracks) 21.43

(2.66)

22.05

(1.91)

18.07

(5.52)

12.30

(1.96)

Too few/missing sidewalks/paths 19.05

(2.99)

29.90

(2.30)

29.81

(4.92)

40.41

(3.34)

Other problems 4.93

(2.28)

1.59

(0.64)

7.24

(3.36)

2.78

(1.11)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 24

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems at Bus Stops or at Subway/Light Rail/Commuter 

Train Stations for Local Travel 

At bus stops

At subway/light rail/commuter

train stations

Problems

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Audible/visual/tactile info limited 1.37

(1.00)

2.66

(1.43)

9.23

(4.55)

11.13

(3.49)

Crowding/seating inadequate 16.43

(4.01)

9.08

(2.61)

15.92

(6.37)

19.02

(5.07)

Curb cut/ramp/stair/grade problems 2.54

(1.47)

0 2.89

(2.24)

1.29

(0.91)

Difficult to see/be seen 0 0 0 0

Drainage poor 0 0 0 0

Elevators/escalators broken/missing 0 0 11.49

(5.45)

5.73

(2.34)

Fare difficult to purchase 0 1.65

(1.67)

5.65

(3.51)

8.32

(2.99)

Insensitive/unaware passengers 11.59

(3.37)

2.39

(1.58)

0 2.02

(1.30)

Lighting inadequate 2.68

(1.68)

4.09

(2.40)

2.85

(2.08)

0

Obstacles/protusions/debris 2.49

(1.32)

9.22

(3.87)

1.11

(1.11)

4.10

(3.02)

Passenger travel info inadequate 0.59

(0.60)

6.63

(3.13)

7.80

(4.70)

2.80

(1.87)

Passing space/aisle width limited 0.50

(0.48)

0 1.12

(1.10)

0

Personal safety concerns 15.55

(3.94)

2.89

(1.67)

10.80

(4.89)

9.40

(2.83)

(continued)
31

Table 24

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems at Bus Stops or at Subway/Light Rail/Commuter 

Train Stations for Local Travel (Continued)

At bus stops

At subway/light rail/commuter

train stations

Problems

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Restroom facilities inadequate 0 3.56

(2.48)

7.49

(5.68)

1.91

(1.81)

Schedule not kept 41.64

(6.80)

49.30

(5.54)

21.10

(14.27)

26.04

(6.55)

Shelter inadequate 20.18

(5.50)

29.94

(5.91)

3.10

(2.98)

4.88

(2.41)

Staff assistance/sensitivity poor 8.20

(3.25)

5.39

(3.25)

3.36

(2.61)

2.77

(2.01)

Surface problem (potholes/cracks) 0.90

(0.87)

1.99

(1.81)

0 0

To few/missing sidewalks/paths 3.01

(1.52)

3.64

(3.04)

0 0

Vehicle does not always stop for me 6.39

(3.23)

11.54

(4.90)

Not applicable Not applicable

Wide gaps between platforms and cars Not applicable Not applicable 0 0

Parking inadequate 0 1.02

(0.72)

2.04

(2.11)

6.34

(3.01)

Other bus or train problem 11.37

(5.84)

4.39

(3.59)

15.18

(6.44)

10.56

(3.14)

Personal comfort Not applicable Not applicable 14.51

(10.37)

12.16

(4.04)

Service not available 12.40

(3.93)

9.28

(3.71)

Not applicable Not applicable

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 25

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems on Buses or on Subway/Light Rail/Commuter 

Trains for Local Travel 

On buses On subway/light rail/commuter trains

Problems

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Audible/visual/tactile info limited 3.04

(2.16)

1.25

(1.18)

6.31

(4.31)

11.88

(4.43)

Board/exit time inadequate 3.37

(1.85)

5.58

(4.38)

6.42

(3.79)

3.53

(2.56)

Boarding/exiting equipment limited 4.08

(2.78)

1.66

(1.55)

5.51

(5.02)

5.04

(4.03)

Crowding/seating inadequate 45.87

(7.71)

27.86

(5.46)

26.64

(8.35)

38.96

(7.59)

Difficult to board/exit 5.61

(2.62)

0.81

(0.83)

7.57

(4.08)

1.96

(1.67)

Equipment storage inadequate 1.12

(0.83)

0 0 0

Fare purchase difficult 0.77

(0.77)

0.84

(0.87)

0 0

(continued)
32

Table 25

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems on Buses or on Subway/Light Rail/Commuter 

Trains for Local Travel (Continued)

On buses On subway/light rail/commuter trains

Problems

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Insensitive/unaware driver 16.42

(4.80)

12.51

(5.94)

3.36

(3.18)

1.10

(1.09)

Insensitive/unaware passengers 31.30

(6.48)

32.16

(6.92)

15.74

(6.21)

21.32

(5.49)

Lighting inadequate 0 0 10.95

(9.93)

0

Obstacles/protusions 4.20

(2.15)

2.86

(2.01)

1.65

(1.72)

5.17

(2.37)

Passenger travel info inadequate 0 2.53

(2.57)

0 2.37

(1.60)

Passing space/aisle width limited 4.66

(2.61)

0 5.51

(5.02)

0

Personal safety concerns 13.3

(4.77)

10.76

(6.12)

15.22

(6.53)

16.28

(4.51)

Restroom facilities inadequate 0 0.81

(0.83)

5.51

(5.02)

0.77

(0.77)

Service animals not permitted 0 0 0 0

Staff assistance/sensitivity poor 4.69

(2.77)

12.15

(5.60)

3.36

(3.18)

0

Wheelchair space inadequate 0 0 0 0

Other bus or train problem 11.52

(4.56)

6.96

(3.09)

8.84

(4.63)

10.84

(4.07)

Personal comfort 3.89

(2.00)

13.33

(4.77)

24.55

(11.31)

11.38

(4.50)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
33

Table 26

Percent of Disabled Experiencing Problems on Paratransit for Local Travel 

Problems

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Attendant/escort service limited 1.90

(1.78)

0

Cannot schedule repeating trips 3.37

(3.48)

0

Cost is too high 0 0

Difficult to board/exit 4.15

(2.73)

0

Inadequate seating 0 0

Insensitive/unaware driver 13.19

(8.62)

0

Personal safety concerns 12.91

(8.08)

0

Responsiveness problems 5.82

(4.00)

11.07

(12.35)

Schedule for pickup not kept/long waits 52.56

(9.90)

88.93

(12.35)

Schedule for drop-off not kept/long wait 40.85

(8.94)

0

Service often not available when need it 5.55

(3.11)

0

Staff assistance/sensitivity inadequate 0 0

Vehicle is in poor mechanical condition 10.13

(7.84)

0

Vehicle not accessible 3.95

(2.82)

0

Trip time is too variable/unpredictable 17.80

(8.52)

0

Other paratransit problem 23.08

(10.35)

0

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 27

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled who Made Long-Distance Trips of 100 Miles or More One-Way Last Year 

Disability status

Long distance travel

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Traveled long distance in last year 59.95

(1.55)

76.32

(0.99)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
34

Table 28

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Type of Transportation Used for Long-Distance Travel in Past Year 

Disability status

Types of transportation

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Private motor vehicle as a driver 49.22

(2.27)

54.27

(1.11)

Private motor vehicle as a passenger 53.94

(2.17)

55.57

(1.18)

Motorized personal transportation 0.20

(0.12)

0.11

(0.09)

Carpool or vanpool/group car or van 0.78

(0.28)

1.32

(0.29)

Commercial airline 31.49

(2.01)

40.10

(1.25)

Private or charter airplane 1.40

(0.84)

1.31

(0.26)

Intercity bus 3.49

(0.93)

3.21

(0.45)

Private or chartered bus 4.02

(0.57)

4.85

(0.58)

Public bus 1.63

(0.45)

1.10

(0.30)

School bus 0.59

(0.21)

1.18

(0.28)

Paratransit van/bus by public transit authority 0.20

(0.14)

0.10

(0.08)

Special transport served by human service agency 0.26

(0.12)

0

Amtrak/intercity 5.15

(1.12)

3.59

(0.42)

Subway/light rail/commuter train 1.59

(0.63)

2.37

(0.37)

Bicycle/pedal cycles 0.21

(0.03)

0.57

(0.17)

Taxicab 0.83

(0.28)

1.26

(0.24)

Works at home/home-schooled 0 0.05

(0.05)

Telecommutes 0.18

(0.13)

0.06

(0.05)

Walking 0.31

(0.12)

0.70

(0.23)

Other transportation 5.78

(1.18)

4.00

(0.52)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
35

Table 29

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems with Long-Distance Travel 

Disability status

Type of transportation

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

At airports 54.50

(4.19)

44.94

(1.92)

On airplanes 32.91

(4.47)

23.61

(1.77)

At intercity bus stations 62.41

(18.26)

17.52

(6.19)

On intercity buses 54.45

(20.84)

22.85

(7.18)

At train stations 23.48

(7.35)

32.63

(5.86)

On trains 12.83

(4.74)

30.64

(5.87)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 30

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems at Airports During Long-Distance Travel 

Problems

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Audible/visual/tactile info limited 2.30

(0.91)

0.79

(0.42)

Curb cut/ramp/stair/grade problems 0.65

(0.48)

0.25

(0.17)

Difficult to see/be seen 0 0

Drainage poor 0 0

Elevators/escalators broken/missing 0.65

(0.48)

0.08

(0.08)

Fare purchase difficult 1.57

(0.91)

1.04

(0.67)

Insensitive/unaware passengers 0.56

(0.32)

2.15

(0.92)

Lighting inadequate 0.41

(0.42)

0.47

(0.47)

Obstacles/protusions/debris 0.83

(0.50)

1.46

(0.69)

Passenger travel info inadequate 3.81

(1.57)

2.94

(1.03)

Passing space/aisle width limited 2.17

(1.27)

1.26

(0.55)

Personal assistant not allowed 0.35

(0.21)

0.31

(0.20)

Personal safety concerns 3.08

(1.08)

3.29

(1.10)

Restroom facilities inadequate 0 1.46

(0.64)

(continued)
36

Table 30

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems at Airports During Long-Distance Travel 

(Continued)

Problems

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Schedule not kept 25.39

(4.07)

37.66

(3.50)

Seating inadequate 9.80

(4.62)

5.93

(1.80)

Security procedures too restrictive 34.12

(4.28)

49.18

(3.45)

Shelter inadequate 0 0.23

(0.23)

Staff assistance/sensitivity poor 15.92

(4.50)

5.86

(1.17)

Surface problems(potholes/cracks) 0 0

Ticket counters too high 0 0.48

(0.45)

Too few/missing sidewalks/paths 0 0

Tram/moving sidewalk problem 1.73

(0.78)

0.74

(0.30)

Unable to communicate with staff 0.55

(0.34)

0.94

(0.64)

Wheelchair unavailable 4.95

(2.29)

0

Parking inadequate 3.71

(1.25)

2.88

(0.95)

Other airline problem 15.41

(4.15)

10.44

(1.86)

Too much walking required 8.84

(2.11)

0.89

(0.57)

Lost/mistreated luggage 2.85

(1.12)

2.10

(0.69)

Security inadequate/insufficient 1.74

(0.83)

3.07

(0.91)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 31

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems on Airplanes During Long-Distance Travel 

Problems

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Audible/visual/tactile info limited 0.60

(0.62)

0.07

(0.07)

Board/exit time inadequate 0 2.21

(1.16)

Boarding/exiting equipment inadequate 0 1.89

(1.50)

Difficult to board/exit 3.38

(1.44)

0.48

(0.37)

(continued)
37

TABLES FOR PERSONAL MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERSHIP AND USE

Table 31

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Experiencing Problems on Airplanes During Long-Distance Travel 

(Continued)

Problems

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Equipment storage inadequate 2.76

(1.52)

0.76

(0.58)

Insensitive/unaware crew 1.76

(0.97)

3.40

(1.46)

Insensitive/unaware passengers 3.80

(1.58)

7.06

(2.15)

Left on board without help 0 0

Lighting inadequate 0 0

Obstacles/protusions 0 0.15

(0.15)

Passenger travel info inadequate 0.44

(0.45)

1.02

(0.64)

Passing space/aisle width limited 8.61

(2.66)

9.32

(2.29)

Personal safety concerns 9.73

(3.58)

12.11

(2.92)

Restroom facilities inadequate 3.35

(1.63)

7.07

(2.27)

Seating inadequate 68.61

(6.13)

52.44

(3.73)

Service animals not permitted 0 0.53

(0.54)

Staff assistance/sensitivity poor 4.83

(2.62)

3.31

(1.11)

Wheelchair damaged 0 0

Wheelchair space inadequate 0.53

(0.48)

0

Other airline problem 4.25

(1.72)

12.75

(2.06)

Bad quality of food/no food 12.56

(3.17)

15.48

(2.66)

Long waits/delays before takeoff 3.78

(1.34)

7.47

(1.97)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 32

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Current Driving Status 

Disability status

Driver status

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Currently driving 65.28

(1.69)

88.13

(0.83)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
38

Table 33

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Number of Days Per Week Drives 

Disability status

Number of days per week drives

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Less than 1 day 3.41

(0.49)

0.37

(0.15)

1 3.88

(0.62)

0.95

(0.25)

2 9.27

(1.05)

2.47

(0.41)

3 10.09

(1.19)

2.74

(0.43)

4 7.18

(0.81)

4.05

(0.46)

5 12.51

(1.58)

9.71

(0.79)

6 8.80

(1.30)

12.74

(0.92)

7 44.85

(2.37)

66.98

(1.25)

Mean number of days drive per week 5.12

(0.09)

6.24

(0.04)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 34

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Number of Vehicles Owned or Leased in Household 

Disability status

Number of vehicles owned or leased in household 

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

0 12.58

(0.81)

4.40

(0.48)

1 30.21

(1.53)

21.93

(0.89)

2 35.68

(1.70)

39.87

(1.03)

3 12.77

(1.25)

18.98

(0.90)

4 5.10

(0.77)

7.46

(0.66)

5 1.54

(0.29)

4.39

(0.54)

6 1.68

(0.56)

1.74

(0.32)

7 0.32

(0.13)

0.63

(0.19)

8 0.02

(0.02)

0.20

(0.12)

9 0.07

(0.05)

0.11

(0.06)

10 0.03

(0.03)

0.13

(0.07)

More than 10 vehicles 0 0.17

(0.13)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
39

Table 35

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Number of Vehicles Owned or Leased in Household 

Disability status

Number of vehicles owned or leased in household

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

0 12.58

(0.81)

4.40

(0.48)

1–2 65.89

(1.47)

61.80

(1.08)

3–4 17.87

(1.36)

26.43

(0.99)

5 or more 3.66

(0.66)

7.37

(0.64)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 36

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Live in a Household that Own or Lease a Vehicle Modified with Adaptive 

Devices or Equipment for use by Persons with Disabilities 

Disability status

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Any vehicles modified with adaptive devices or 

equipment

2.30

(0.39)

0.31

(0.10)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 37

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled that Limit or Restrict Driving 

Disability status

Types of limitations or restrictions

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Drive less often than used to 64.53

(2.42)

32.20

(1.26)

Avoid driving at night 51.50

(2.21)

25.78

(1.08)

Drive less in bad weather 66.34

(2.09)

49.75

(1.39)

Avoid high-speed roads and highways 38.42

(1.97)

21.77

(1.05)

Avoid busy roads and intersections 51.67

(2.13)

39.98

(1.20)

Drive slower than speed limits 22.02

(1.66)

14.92

(0.99)

Avoid left hand turns 11.37

(1.49)

8.41

(0.71)

Avoid driving during rush hours 57.98

(1.90)

41.99

(1.44)

Avoid driving unfamiliar roads or places 38.01

(2.08)

27.48

(1.05)

Avoid driving distances > 100 miles 47.24

(2.13)

21.91

(1.06)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey
40

Table 38

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled Drivers who Restrict their Driving by Avoiding Driving at Night by Age

Disability status

Age Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

<16 100.00

(0)

46.26

(17.65)

16–24 24.10

(8.66)

21.02

(3.38)

25–34 33.81

(7.70)

20.98

(2.74)

35–44 44.33

(5.83)

27.99

(2.87)

45–54 53.22

(6.22)

21.23

(2.13)

55–64 52.95

(4.30)

30.10

(2.68)

65–74 56.95

(4.92)

40.20

(3.12)

75+ 74.38

(3.66)

54.36

(5.00)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 39

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Driving Ability as Compared to 5 Years Ago 

Disability status

Driving ability

Ability as compared to 5 

years ago

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Eyesight/night vision Worse 39.62

(1.81)

28.08

(1.23)

Same 55.65

(1.80)

66.35

(1.36)

Better 4.74

(0.95)

5.56

(0.63)

Attention span Worse 18.51

(1.61)

4.40

(0.49)

Same 72.97

(1.98)

80.43

(1.26)

Better 8.53

(1.18)

15.18

(1.17)

Hearing Worse 20.66

(1.26)

6.99

(0.57)

Same 77.43

(1.29)

88.18

(0.88)

Better 1.91

(0.53)

4.83

(0.67)

Coordination Worse 20.98

(1.52)

3.58

(0.43)

Same 73.58

(1.80)

85.68

(1.03)

Better 5.44

(1.00)

10.73

(1.00)

(continued)
41

Table 39

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Driving Ability as Compared to 5 Years Ago (Continued)

Disability status

Driving ability

Ability as compared to 5 

years ago

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Reaction time Worse 11.73

(1.21)

3.54

(0.50)

Same 81.13

(1.45)

77.99

(1.18)

Better 7.13

(1.05)

18.48

(1.17)

Depth perception Worse 14.92

(1.64)

6.98

(0.69)

Same 80.50

(1.74)

83.22

(1.15)

Better 4.57

(1.03)

9.81

(0.96)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey

Table 40

Percent of Disabled and Nondisabled by Reasons to Give up Driving 

Disability status

Reasons to give up driving

Disabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Nondisabled

Percent

(Standard error)

Never plan to give up driving 9.62

(1.18)

11.19

(0.83)

Other transportation was available 1.28

(0.39)

3.62

(0.53)

Cannot pass the driver license renewal process 1.54

(0.43)

0.87

(0.24)

Cause crash, accident, injury, or other incident 5.06

(0.91)

2.86

(0.44)

Involved in crash, accident, other incident 4.55

(1.16)

2.69

(0.42)

Doctor says to stop driving 4.22

(0.78)

3.67

(0.54)

Family/friend/neighbor convinces to stop driving 2.07

(0.42)

2.41

(0.43)

Police/law enforcement advise stop driving 1.22

(0.39)

0.97

(0.30)

Feel cannot operate vehicle safely 37.00

(1.79)

33.44

(1.52)

Reach a certain age 6.40

(1.30)

10.24

(0.93)

Eyesight declines 33.69

(2.31)

36.93

(1.26)

Hearing declines 5.43

(1.22)

6.04

(0.72)

Other physical limitations 31.34

(2.12)

29.64

(1.22)

Other mental limitations 5.31

(0.71)

7.65

(0.72)

Other limitations 11.96

(1.37)

12.55

(0.94)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2002 National Transportation Availability and Use Survey