Gerontological Society Annual Meeting Features UMTRI Research - University of Michigan Transportation Institute

UMTRI Researchers Lead Transportation Innovation at 2025 GSA Annual Meeting

The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) will be prominently featured at the 2026 Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting, taking place November 12-15, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts. UMTRI’s Dr. Renée St. Louis and Dr. Colleen Peterson will join experts from across the nation to advance discussions at the intersection of transportation, aging, and innovation.

Dr. St. Louis will play several key roles at this year’s meeting chairing the Transportation and Aging Interest Group’s annual meeting and leading a symposium entitled Enhancing Transportation in Rural Communities through Innovative Solutions, serving as both organizer and discussant. Recognizing transportation as a persistent barrier to health and quality of life in rural areas, this session will spotlight practical, innovative approaches to improving mobility for older adults.

St. Louis will also present in the session, Goin’ Down the Road: New Horizons in Transportation Research, discussing the “Evaluation of a Self-Driving Shuttle Service to Improve Mobility of Older Adults and People with Disabilities.” This one-year pilot, launched in June 2024 in Detroit, MI, provided a self-driving shuttle service for individuals aged 62 and older and people with disabilities. The project aimed to address traditional transit gaps and enable greater independence and mobility through innovative technology.

Additionally, Dr. Colleen Peterson will be presenting a poster, titled Preparing for Takeoff: Addressing In-Flight Challenges Faced by Persons Living with Dementia and Travel Companions based on her work with St. Louis. The project focused on addressing the challenges faced by travelers with dementia and their companions.

“Successfully traveling with an individual that has dementia requires developing accessible services based on inclusive principles, dementia awareness, and a willingness to listen to the voices of those living with dementia,” said Dr. Peterson.

Although increasing awareness of the needs of travelers with dementia has seen positive changes within airports globally, the needs and experiences of travelers with dementia in-flight are less well understood. In-flight challenges included anxiety, confusion, toilet access and use, awareness of available assistance, negative flight crew interactions, and seating arrangements.

Together, UMTRI’s participation at GSA 2025 underscores the Institute’s ongoing commitment to research and solutions that address the evolving transportation needs of an aging population—forging a path toward more inclusive, accessible communities.

The Gerontological Society of America is the world’s oldest and largest interdisciplinary association dedicated to aging research, education, and practice. With more than 6,000 members representing over 50 countries, GSA is committed to promoting gerontological research and disseminating new findings to scientists, decision-makers, and the public. Each year, GSA’s Annual Scientific Meeting brings together nearly 4,500 professionals for over 500 scientific sessions, making it a leading forum for innovation in aging research and practice.