Bridging Policy and Public Perception: A Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Elderly Urban Mobility in Amman, Jordan

Abstract

In rapidly urbanizing cities with aging populations, aligning transport policy with the lived needs of older adults is both a social imperative and a planning challenge. This paper presents the findings of a field-based empirical study conducted in Amman, Jordan, aimed at evaluating stakeholder priorities related to elderly urban mobility. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the study compares preferences of two key groups: transport decision-makers (n = 28) and a demographically representative sample of elderly residents aged 60 and above (n = 384), proportionally distributed across Amman’s urban districts. Data collection was conducted between February and April 2024 through structured, face-to-face interviews, stratified household surveys, and facilitated AHP pairwise comparison exercises. Participants evaluated five core criteria: Accessibility and Infrastructure, Affordability, Safety and Security, Service Availability and Reliability, and Comfort and Convenience. Results reveal a significant misalignment in criteria prioritization. While policymakers placed the greatest emphasis on infrastructure and network expansion, elderly residents prioritized personal safety, financial accessibility, and everyday usability. The study highlights the critical role of participatory, multi-criteria decision tools in age-inclusive mobility planning. It offers concrete recommendations to close the perception gap between institutional frameworks and user realities, positioning Amman as a case for transferable lessons across Middle Eastern cities experiencing demographic transition.