Understanding the needs of hand control users, driver rehabilitation specialists, and dealers/installers.

Understanding unique perspectives from key stakeholder groups involved in the hand control (HC) industry, including driver rehabilitation specialists (DRSs) who train users how to use their HCs, dealers/installers, and users, may become increasingly important in the United States due to increases in elderly, diabetic, and wounded warrior amputee driving populations. In this exploratory study, phone interviews were conducted with 20 DRSs, 20 dealers/installers, and 20 users regarding their perspectives about HC training, maintenance and operation, and design improvements. Results revealed common views and differences in perspectives about whether HC users should receive training and for how long, when and how often users should receive maintenance on their HCs, and what DRSs, dealers/installers, and users would like to see in the future.

Evaluation of four steering wheels to determine driver hand placement in a static environment.

While much research exists on occupant packaging both proprietary and in the literature, more detailed research regarding user preferences for subjective ratings of steering wheel designs is sparse in published literature. This study aimed to explore the driver interactions with production steering wheels in four vehicles by using anthropometric data, driver hand placement, and driver grip design preferences for Generation-Y and Baby Boomers. In this study, participants selected their preferred grip diameter, responded to a series of questions about the steering wheel grip as they sat in four vehicles, and rank ordered their preferred grip design. Thirty-two male participants (16 Baby Boomers between ages 47 and 65 and 16 Generation-Y between ages 18 and 29) participated in the study. Drivers demonstrated different gripping behavior between vehicles and between groups. Recommendations for future work in steering wheel grip design and naturalistic driver hand positioning are discussed.

Seniors' and physicians' attitudes toward using driving simulators in clinical settings.

ABSTRACT Interactive driving simulators may offer a safe and controlled environment for occupational therapists to treat clients with conditions that affect their ability to drive safely. The use of simulators has been mostly limited to research settings. To make appropriate use of this technology, identifying and understanding the needs of clients and medical personnel that simulators can fulfill is important. The current investigation seeks to identify the attitudes of potential clients and physicians regarding the use of driving simulators. Using survey and interview methodology, clients' and physicians' needs in regard to driving and community mobility are investigated in the context of identifying potential applications for simulator technology. In addition, general needs and attitudes about driving in the context of medical practice were identified. Attitudes toward the use of simulators were generally positive, and the desire for a greater ability to understand and treat clients in the context of driving appears strong.