Examining issues surrounding older driver assessment, remediation,
rehabilitation, and the use of alternatives to the car.
Publications - ICADI
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The Impact Of Roadway Intersection Design On The Simulated Driving Performance
of Young and Senior Adults
Presenters: Shechtman, Orit; Classen, Sherrilene; Stephens, Burton; Davis, Ethan
Abstract
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) proposed guidelines for highway design
to increase the safe driving ability of older drivers; however, little empirical
evidence exists to support these guidelines. This study investigated the effects
of improved vs. unimproved intersections using a high-fidelity driving simulator.
Kinematics measures and behavioral evaluations were obtained to determine if
driving performance during negotiation of improved intersections was safer for
older (65-85 years) and younger (25-45) drivers. Five pairs of intersections
were compared. Three of the five comparisons indicated significantly greater
lateral control stability (as measured by maximum yaw rate) during turns at
the improved intersections. This preliminary report is based on data from 19
subjects (5 young and 14 older adults). Despite the small sample size, the findings
of the present study suggest that some of the FHWA guidelines for implementing
safe road conditions are helpful in defining intersection characteristics that
could lead to safer driving by both older and younger adults. These results
may yield critical information for engineers, planners, policy makers and others
involved in the design of roadway systems to enhance safe driving.
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