(Purpose) This study explores policy directions for elderly-friendly smart mobility in Gyeonggi Province, which stands at the forefront of Korea’s transition into a super-aged society. The primary objective is to secure both transport rights emphasizing safety and accessibility and mobility rights emphasizing choice and integration. The study further proposes strategies for scaling this provincial model into a nationwide public transportation framework.
(Design/methodology/approach) Employing a mixed-methods design, the research integrates a systematic review of 142 domestic and international studies, public data analysis on traffic accidents and elderly statistics, focus group interviews with experts, and a citizen-participatory living lab. Thematic analysis using NVivo was applied to synthesize results.(Findings) The study identified eight structural vulnerabilities: mismatches between policy design and elderly mobility patterns, digital exclusion in DRT systems, deficiencies in information design, shortage of low-floor buses, insufficient dementia-responsive measures, severe rural mobility gaps, fragmented governance, and gaps between policy and practice. From these, six dimensions for improvement were derived: time, space, cognition, accessibility, service design, and welfare integration. Living Lab results confirmed that improved accessibility could significantly increase travel frequency, reduce time, and lower monthly transport costs. Comparative analysis of international cases—including Japan’s transport subsidy program, Germany’s €9 ticket, and Nordic integrated pass models—demonstrates economic spillover effects that can be adapted to Gyeonggi.
(Research implications or Originality) By framing elderly mobility through the dual lens of transport and mobility rights, this research advances debates on inclusive mobility in super-aged societies. The proposed phased roadmap (2025-2030) emphasizes short-term redesign of protection zones, mid-term MaaS-welfare integration, and long-term development of smart mobility hubs. The Gyeonggi model thus offers a replicable prototype for national and global application.