Traffic Engineering and Occupational Therapy: A Collaborative Approach for Future Directions

Abstract

Swedish legislation and international norms emphasize society's obligation to ensure general accessibility. The possibility of independent outdoor mobility, transportation, and travel are as important for individuals with reduced functional capacity as for other members of society, but today their mobility is limited. The aim of this article is to outline a novel field for research collaboration between occupational therapy and traffic planning and engineering, focusing on person-environment relationships with an explicit orientation towards advantages to society. Target groups are elderly people and individuals with impairments, and their relation to public transportation provided by society, in terms of general accessibility. Topical research from both disciplines is presented and synthesized, leading to the formulation of joint research questions. The collaborative approach presented increases the potential for continuing, comprehensive, and stable growth of knowledge. The intention is to assist the legislative process in the development of society, leading to a more efficient use of available economic resources. The ultimate objective of future research projects will be to gain knowledge that will facilitate improvements in public health.