An Investigation of the Effects of Driver Age When Using Novel Navigation Systems in a Head-Up Display

Although drivers gain experience with age, many older drivers are faced with age-related deteriorations that can lead to a higher crash risk. Head-Up Displays (HUDs) have been linked to significant improvements in driving performance for older drivers by tackling issues related to aging. For this study, two Augmented Reality (AR) HUD virtual car navigation solutions were tested (one screen-fixed, one world-fixed), aiming to improve navigation performance and reduce the discrepancy between younger and older drivers by aiding the appropriate allocation of attention and easing interpretation of navigational information. Twenty-five participants (12 younger, 13 older) undertook a series of drives within a medium-fidelity simulator with three different navigational conditions (virtual car HUD, static HUD arrow graphic, and traditional head-down satnav). Results showed that older drivers tended to achieve navigational success rates similar to the younger group, but experienced higher objective mental workload. Solely for the static HUD arrow graphic, differences in most workload questionnaire items and objective workload between younger and older participants were not significant. The virtual car led to improved navigation performance of all drivers, compared to the other systems. Hence, both AR HUD systems show potential for older drivers, which needs to be further investigated in a real-world driving context.

Download Full-text

Acceptance of Transportation Technologies by Aging Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1822 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 555-555

Author(s):

Neil Charness ◽

Dustin Souders ◽

Ryan Best ◽

Nelson Roque ◽

JongSung Yoon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Adult ◽

Detection System ◽

Blind Spot ◽

Driving Performance ◽

Older Drivers ◽

Crash Risk ◽

Warning Systems ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Spot Detection

Abstract Older adults are at greater risk of death and serious injury in transportation crashes which have been increasing in older adult cohorts relative to younger cohorts. Can technology provide a safer road environment? Even if technology can mitigate crash risk, is it acceptable to older road users? We outline the results from several studies that tested 1) whether advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) can improve older adult driving performance, 2) older adults’ acceptance of ADAS and Autonomous Vehicle (AV) systems, and 3) perceptions of value for ADAS systems, particularly for blind-spot detection systems. We found that collision avoidance warning systems improved older adult simulator driving performance, but not lane departure warning systems. In a young to middle-aged sample the factor “concern with AV” showed age effects with older drivers less favorable. Older drivers, however, valued an active blind spot detection system more than younger drivers.

Download Full-text

Impact of Age-Related Vision Changes on Driving

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17207416 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (20) ◽

pp. 7416

Author(s):

Sonia Ortiz-Peregrina ◽

Carolina Ortiz ◽

Miriam Casares-López ◽

José J. Castro-Torres ◽

Luis Jiménez del Barco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Linear Regression ◽

Visual Function ◽

Driving Simulator ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽

Driving Performance ◽

Older Drivers ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Simulated Driving ◽

Age Related ◽

Intraocular Straylight

Aging leads to impaired visual function, which can affect driving—a very visually demanding task—and has a direct impact on an individual’s quality of life if their license is withdrawn. This study examined the associations between age-related vision changes and simulated driving performance. To this end, we attempted to determine the most significant visual parameters in terms of evaluating elderly drivers’ eyesight. Twenty-one younger drivers (aged 25–40) were compared to 21 older drivers (aged 56–71). Study participants were assessed for visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, halos, and intraocular straylight, which causes veiling luminance on the retina and degrades vision. Driving performance was evaluated using a driving simulator. The relationships between simulated driving performance and the visual parameters tested were examined with correlation analyses and linear regression models. Older drivers presented impairment in most visual parameters (p < 0.05), with straylight being the most significantly affected (we also measured the associated effect size). Older drivers performed significantly worse (p < 0.05) in the simulator test, with a markedly lower performance in lane stability. The results of the multiple linear regression model evidenced that intraocular straylight is the best visual parameter for predicting simulated driving performance (R2 = 0.513). Older drivers have shown significantly poorer results in several aspects of visual function, as well as difficulties in driving simulator performance. Our results suggest that the non-standardized straylight evaluation could be significant in driver assessments, especially at the onset of age-related vision changes.

Download Full-text

Smart In-Vehicle Technologies and Older Drivers: A Scoping Review

OTJR Occupation Participation and Health ◽

10.1177/1539449219830376 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 97-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sherrilene Classen ◽

Mary Jeghers ◽

Jane Morgan-Daniel ◽

Sandra Winter ◽

Luther King ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Older Drivers ◽

Crash Risk ◽

Cognitive Workload ◽

Driving Simulators ◽

Age Related ◽

Driving Assistance ◽

Vehicle Information ◽

Vehicle Technologies ◽

The Impact

In-vehicle technologies may decrease crash risk in drivers with age-related declines. Researchers determined the impact of in-vehicle information systems (IVIS) or advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) on driving. Through a scoping review, the effect of IVIS or ADAS on older drivers’ convenience (i.e., meets one’s needs), comfort (i.e., physical or psychological ease), or safety (i.e., absence of errors or crashes) was examined. Researchers synopsized findings from 28 studies, including driving simulators and on-road environments. Findings indicated that IVIS or ADAS enhanced safety and mitigated age-related declines. Notably, IVIS may reduce cognitive workload, but may jeopardize safety if the systems are overly complicated. The ADAS enhanced safety and comfort by increasing speed control, lane maintenance, and braking responses. However, no studies addressed convenience. In-vehicle technologies may enhance safety and comfort while driving, if one’s cognitive workload is not compromised. Naturalistic studies are needed to elucidate the risks and benefits of IVIS and ADAS for older drivers.

Download Full-text

Explaining the Association between Driver’s Age and the Risk of Causing a Road Crash through Mediation Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17239041 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (23) ◽

pp. 9041

Author(s):

Karoline Gomes-Franco ◽

Mario Rivera-Izquierdo ◽

Luis Miguel Martín-delosReyes ◽

Eladio Jiménez-Mejías ◽

Virginia Martínez-Ruiz

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Mediation Analysis ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Age Groups ◽

Older Drivers ◽

Crash Risk ◽

Direct Path ◽

Driving Behaviors ◽

Age Related ◽

Road Crash

It has been widely reported that younger and older drivers have an excess risk of causing a road crash. Two casual hypotheses may coexist: the riskier driving behaviors and age-related mechanisms in extreme age groups (direct path) and the different environmental and vehicle circumstances (indirect path). Our aim was to quantify, through a mediation analysis, the percentage contribution of both paths. A case-control study was designed from the Spanish Register of Road Crashes with victims from 2014 to 2017. Assuming a quasi-induced exposure approach, controls were non-responsible drivers involved in clean collisions between two or more vehicles (n = 52,131). Responsible drivers for these collisions plus drivers involved in single crashes constituted the case group (n = 82,071). A logit model in which the outcome was the log (odds) of causing a road crash and the exposure was age groups was adjusted for driver, vehicle and environmental factors. The highest crash risk was observed in extreme age groups, compared to the 35–44 year old age group: the youngest (18–24 years old, odds ratio = 2.14, 95% confidence interval: 2.06–2.24) and the oldest drivers (>74 years old, odds ratio = 3.30, 95% confidence interval: 3.04–2.58). The mediation analysis identified the direct path as the main explanatory mechanism for these increases: 89% in the youngest and 93% in the oldest drivers. These data support the hypothesis that the excess crash risk observed for younger and older drivers is mainly related to their higher frequency of risky driving behaviors and age-related loss of capabilities. Preventive strategies in extreme-aged drivers should focus on decreasing these behaviors.

Download Full-text

Augmented reality learning: education in real-world contexts

Innovative language pedagogy report ◽

10.14705/rpnet.2021.50.1245 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 115-120

Author(s):

Mark Pegrum

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Augmented Reality ◽

Real World ◽

Mixed Reality ◽

The Other ◽

The Real ◽

The World ◽

Digital Simulations ◽

The Continuum

What is it? Augmented Reality (AR) bridges the real and the digital. It is part of the Extended Reality (XR) spectrum of immersive technological interfaces. At one end of the continuum, Virtual Reality (VR) immerses users in fully digital simulations which effectively substitute for the real world. At the other end of the continuum, AR allows users to remain immersed in the real world while superimposing digital overlays on the world. The term mixed reality, meanwhile, is sometimes used as an alternative to AR and sometimes as an alternative to XR.

Download Full-text

EDUCATION AND TRAINING ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION SYSTEMS’ IMPACT ON OLDER DRIVER PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING TO OVERCOME UNFAMILIARITY

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2460 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S665-S665

Author(s):

Anne E Dickerson ◽

F Dennis Thomas ◽

Lindsay Graham ◽

M Chandler Coleman ◽

Richard Blomberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Driving Performance ◽

Older Drivers ◽

Driving Safety ◽

Navigation Systems ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Driver Performance ◽

Hands On ◽

And Training

Abstract Technology may assist older adults in improving their driving performance and therefore driving safety. However, it is sometimes a distraction and some older adults avoid its use due to the complexity of learning the systems. This study examined how older drivers interacted with an electronic navigation system (e.g., GPS) and the extent to which it impacted driving performance on unfamiliar routes. It also examined three approaches to training older adults how to program the devices. In Phase 1, 80 older drivers navigated unfamiliar routes using a GPS or paper directions and completed destination entry tasks. In Phase 2, 60 older drivers completed one of three training conditions (video, video with hands-on, placebo) to examine the impacts of training on destination entry performance. Driving performance was improved with GPS over paper directions (p = .025), as evaluated by a driver rehabilitation specialized on counterbalanced standardized routes. Analyses also showed significant effects for familiarity for use of GPS (p=.035) and age group (60’s versus 70’s) (p<.001), but many drivers had difficulty entering destinations. In Phase 2, a main effect of training was found (p=.02) with using video and one-on-one training showing the best performance. This study demonstrates older drivers could benefit from the use of such devices when driving to unfamiliar destinations, but training is needed with hands-on training with a live instructor being the best.

Download Full-text

Age-related Differences in Driving: Are Older Drivers More Serial?

International Journal of Behavioral Development ◽

10.1080/016502599383702 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 575-589 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Liisa Hakamies-Blomqvist ◽

Sami Mynttinen ◽

Martin Backman ◽

Valde Mikkonen

Keyword(s):

Mental Workload ◽

Older Drivers ◽

Compensatory Mechanism ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Driving Experience ◽

Age Related ◽

Test Route ◽

Empirical Demonstration ◽

Complex Parts

A measurement-instrumented car was used to test the hypothesis that older drivers organise their car-controlling movements in a more serial way in order to reduce the momentary mental workload produced by complex traffic situations. Forty-two older drivers (65+, mean age 67.5) and 36 young middle-aged drivers (26-49, mean age 36.8) drove a measurement-instrumented car around a 7.4 km route in normal traffic. The use of car controls (e.g. clutch, brake) was registered by sensors connected to a computer. In the most complex parts of the test route (e.g. during which three or more controls were in use simultaneously), the older drivers tended to use three controls rather than four or more, whereas the younger group had a greater percentage of four or more controls. This percentage was positively related to speed. However, although older drivers drove more slowly in general, in pairs matched for speed, they still drove in a less parallel manner. Irrespective of age, parallel use of controls was positively related to the level of skill as indicated by the amount of cumulated driving experience. The shift towards more serial operation of controls possibly represents an empirical demonstration of a compensatory mechanism allowing older drivers to maintain their level of performance.

Download Full-text

Effects of In-Car Support on Mental Workload and Driving Performance of Older Drivers

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/0018720809344977 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 463-476 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Ragnhild J. Davidse ◽

Marjan P. Hagenzieker ◽

Peter C. van Wolffelaar ◽

Wiebo H. Brouwer

Keyword(s):

Mental Workload ◽

Driving Performance ◽

Older Drivers

Download Full-text

Fatigue in Younger and Older Drivers: Effectiveness of an Alertness-Maintaining Task

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/0018720817706811 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 59 (6) ◽

pp. 995-1008 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Woojin Song ◽

Fu L. Woon ◽

Alice Doong ◽

Carol Persad ◽

Louis Tijerina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Driving Performance ◽

Older Drivers ◽

Crash Risk ◽

Dual Tasks ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Automotive Technology ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Potential Use ◽

Improve Fatigue

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an alertness-maintaining task (AMT) in older, fatigued drivers. Background: Fatigue during driving increases crash risk, and previous research suggests that alertness and driving in younger adults may be improved using a secondary AMT during boring, fatigue-eliciting drives. However, the potential impact of an AMT on driving has not been investigated in older drivers whose ability to complete dual tasks has been shown to decline and therefore may be negatively affected with an AMT in driving. Method: Younger ( n = 29) and older drivers ( n = 39) participated in a 50-minute simulated drive designed to induce fatigue, followed by four 10-minute sessions alternating between driving with and without an AMT. Results: Younger drivers were significantly more affected by fatigue on driving performance than were older drivers but benefitted significantly from the AMT. Older drivers did not demonstrate increased driver errors with fatigue, and driving did not deteriorate significantly during participation in the AMT condition, although their speed was significantly more variable with the AMT. Conclusion: Consistent with earlier research, an AMT applied during fatiguing driving is effective in improving alertness and reducing driving errors in younger drivers. Importantly, older drivers were relatively unaffected by fatigue, and use of an AMT did not detrimentally affect their driving performance. Application: These results support the potential use of an AMT as a new automotive technology to improve fatigue and promote driver safety, though the benefits of such technology may differ between different age groups.

Download Full-text