ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the extent to which driving performance of 10 older (70-88 years old) and 30 younger participants (30-50 years old) improves as a result of support by a driver assistance system. BACKGROUND: Various studies have indicated that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) may provide tailored assistance for older drivers and thereby improve their safe mobility. METHOD: While drivers followed an urban route in a driving simulator, an ADAS provided them with prior knowledge on the next intersection. The system was evaluated in terms of effects on workload and safety performance. RESULTS: Messages informing drivers about the right-of-way regulation, obstructed view of an intersection, and safe gaps to join or cross traffic streams led to safer driving performance. A message regarding an unexpected one-way street led to fewer route errors. In general, effects were the same for all age groups. Workload was not reduced by the support system. CONCLUSION: The evaluated support system shows promising effects for all age groups. Longer evaluation periods are needed to determine long-term effects. APPLICATION: The messages provided by the evaluated system are currently not provided by existing ADAS such as advanced cruise control and navigation systems, but they could possibly be added to them in the future.
Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/prevention & control , Automobile Driving , Automobiles/standards , Decision Support Techniques , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Computer Simulation , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of visual field defects on driving performance, and to predict practical fitness to drive. METHODS: The driving performance of 87 subjects with visual field defects due to ocular abnormalities was assessed on a driving simulator and during an on-road driving test. OUTCOME MEASURES: The final score on the on-road driving test and simulator indexes, such as driving speed, viewing behavior, lateral position, time-headway, and time to collision. RESULTS: Subjects with visual field defects showed differential performance on measures of driving speed, steering stability, lateral position, time to collision, and time-headway. Effective compensation consisted of reduced driving speed in cases of central visual field defects and increased scanning in cases of peripheral visual field defects. The sensitivity and specificity of models based on vision, visual attention, and compensatory viewing efficiency were increased when the distance at which the subject started to scan was taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with visual field defects demonstrated differential performance on several driving simulator indexes. Driving examiners considered reduced speed and increased scanning to be valid compensation for central and peripheral visual field defects, respectively. Predicting practical fitness to drive was improved by taking driving simulator indexes into account.
