EL SEGUNDO HERALD February 8, 2018 Page 17
Buckle Up For
The New Passenger Economy
(BPT) - A hundred years ago, few thought
that the clunky automobile that broke down so
often would ever replace a horse. In the 1970s,
people wondered if the personal computer
that a few eccentrics were using would have
any use beyond storing recipes. It’s safe to
say that these innovations, along with many
of the technologies we now use daily, were
once considered impossible dreams.
Right now, the most-talked-about piece
of technological innovation that is poised
to transform our lives is the autonomous or
self-driving car. As self-driving cars gain
widespread adoption, analysts are predicting
the rise of what is known as the passenger
economy - a term coined by Intel - that is
expected to be worth $7 trillion by 2050 as
validated in a new report by analyst firm
Strategy Analytics.
The following are five big areas of opportunity
that will unfold in the passenger
economy era.
Time will be on people’s side. One of the
most obvious benefits of a self-driving car
is the amount of time it frees up. Drivers
become passengers, and so will be able to
concentrate on other tasks. Not only will
people be able to work or watch a movie on
their way to work, but the commute itself
will be shorter, since traffic congestion will
become a thing of the past. With smarter
analytics, it’s estimated that by 2050, the
widespread use of autonomous cars will
free up over 250 million hours of commute
time per year in the most congested cities.
With self-driving cars, we are poised to
see powerful new opportunities that deliver
personalized messages to consumers. For
instance, algorithms can compute routes and
route history to hone in on passengers with
specific onboard advertisements from surrounding
businesses or attractions. This could
be a huge boost to local businesses and will
be much more effective than the primitive
billboard. Mobility-as-a-service. Imagine
ordering take-out, or having your groceries
or a package of diapers come to your door
via a driverless car. This is something that
we’re likely to see fairly soon. Shipping and
freight companies, local delivery services and
internet giants will make use of autonomous
vehicles to transport goods across the country.
These types of services will likely generate
$3 trillion in revenues by 2050.New business
models. Today, many companies offer perks
such as work-from-home days or the option
for people to leave the office to work in a
cafe or wherever is most suitable for them. In
the not-too-distant future, the workplace will
further transform as the commute evolves.
The self-driving car will blend with the office,
turning the commute into a productive
part of the workday. In turn, this will allow
people to go home earlier and spend more
time with their families. The advent of the
passenger economy will contribute to a safer
and more efficient world. Those who can
imagine and anticipate the coming changes
will be in the best position to get the most
out of it. •
Finance
Senior Guest? How To Prepare
Your Home For Older Visitors
(BPT) - Whether it’s for a special occasion
or just because, hosting an older adult in your
home can be a wonderful experience with lots
of memory-making potential. However, for
a safe and successful visit, you may want to
make a few adjustments to your home before
they arrive to make it more senior-friendly.
“Spending time with aging parents or
grandparents is a wonderful experience for
all generations,” says Sara Terry, Brookdale
Senior Living’s senior vice president of
resident and family engagement. “Creating
a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere is the
job of any good host and that is no different
when entertaining seniors. Considering older
adults’ varying mobility and comfort levels,
there are a few adjustments you can make
to your home to meet their needs.”
Whether your guest is staying short- or
long-term, Terry offers these six tips to help
you transform your home into a more seniorfriendly
environment so you can focus on
what matters most: making memories with
your entire family.
The walkways to many homes are cracked
or uneven, which is a risk factor for falls.
Make sure the pathway is cleared and easy
to see, shovel show in the winter and sweep
leaves in the fall. Stairs can be tricky to maneuver
as well. If possible, add a ramp that
leads to your door. If there are stairs, install
handrails on each side. Entryways divided
by a threshold can be tricky for someone
with mobility issues. Eliminate this common
tripping hazard when seniors visit.
The easiest thing you can do is remove
clutter (especially on the floor) to allow sufficient
space for senior guests who may be
in a wheelchair to maneuver around rooms.
Remove or tape down all cords. Rugs may
look nice but they are a leading tripping
hazard. Remove all accent rugs from your
home, and in areas like the entryway where
you must have mats, make sure they are
secured with non-slip material.
Seniors need more light than you do
in your home, particularly in notoriously
dim areas such as entryways, hallways and
staircases. Replace existing soft light bulbs
with brighter or higher wattage ones and add
motion-sensor lights to bathrooms. Adding
night lights throughout your home is an
easy addition that helps seniors see better,
especially at night or on darker winter days.
Ideally, a senior won’t have to navigate
stairs, but if you have some in your home,
you can make the space safer by having
railings on both sides. Railings should be at
least 1.5 inches in diameter to accommodate
seniors with limited dexterity and aging grips.
What’s more, help each stair be more visible
by using contrast strips (available at your
local hardware store).
Make bathrooms safer by adding well-placed
grab bars next to the toilet and in bathing
spaces. In the shower or tub, add non-slip
strips and a shower seat for comfort and ease
of use. For guests who are staying awhile,
consider adding a handheld, adjustable-height
showerhead. Finally, set the hot water heater
temperature to 120 degrees as to avoid unintended
burns.
Whether your loved one is staying one
night, one month or more, selecting the right
room will increase their comfort and safety.
One-level living is key, so if possible use a
room on the main floor with easy access
to the bathroom, kitchen and living room.
Furniture, including the bed and chairs,
should be at a good height (neither too low
nor too high) to be easily used. Knobs can
be difficult, so consider replacing round door
handles with lever handles.
“In addition to these tips, I recommend
having a conversation with your loved one
before their stay,” says Terry. “Talk to them
about what will make them feel at home in
your home. What’s most important is enjoying
your visit to the fullest and spending
valuable time together. •
Seniors