A LongROAD Study

December 2015

Keeping Older Adults Driving Safely: A

Research Synthesis of Advanced In-Vehicle

Technologies

The LongROAD StudyThe LongROAD (Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers)

study:• Will generate the largest and most comprehensive

database about senior drivers in existence and will support in-depth studies of senior driving and mobility to better understand risks and develop effective countermeasures.

• Specific emphasis is being placed on issues related to medications, medical conditions, driving patterns, driving exposure, self-regulation, and crash risk, along with mobility options for older Americans who no longer drive.

The LongROAD Study• This multi-year prospective cohort study is being

conducted at 5 sites throughout the country, with 3,000 participants, tracking 5+ years of driving behaviors and medical conditions. The multidisciplinary team assembled to investigate this issue is led by experienced researchers from Columbia University, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and the Urban Institute.

The Situation

• As the aging population continues to grow, the personal automobile will increasingly be the preferred mode of personal mobility.

• Advanced in-vehicle technologies have been proposed as potential ways to keep older adults driving for as long as they can safely do so, by taking into account the common declines in functional abilities experienced by older adults.

Objective

• The purpose of this report was to synthesize the knowledge about older drivers and advanced in-vehicle technologies, focusing on three areas: • use (how older drivers use these technologies)• perception (what they think about the

technologies), and• outcomes (the safety and/or comfort benefits of

the technologies)

University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

(UMTRI)

AAA Foundation for Traffic SafetyReleased in December 2015

Part of the LongROAD study

Overview

• A systematic literature review was conducted on previously published studies on the 16 technologies most likely to benefit older drivers

• Three categories of systems were assessed: crash avoidance, in-vehicle information, and other (ex: adaptive cruise control, drowsiness/fatigue warnings)

• Publications were identified through a comprehensive search of bibliographic databases and reviewed for appropriateness;• 298 articles met the inclusion criteria

Key Findings

• The technologies studied have varying degrees of usability and value for older adult drivers• Technologies with the highest safety

value are featured in this presentation• A table of all 16 technologies analyzed is

in the report

Key Findings

Parking Assist: rearview display• 55% of older drivers reported that this system helped

relieve stress and improved parking ability• Combining backup video display with obstacle detection

warnings enhances benefit

Parking Assist: cross traffic warning• Helps prevent collisions when backing up• Reduces feelings of stress

Key FindingsParking Assist: semi-autonomous parking

assistance• Reduced mental workload and stress for the driver• Improved parking behavior with and without the use of

the system

Navigation Assistance• Increased feelings of safety, confidence, attentiveness,

and relaxation• Very helpful in wayfinding

Key Findings

Automatic Crash Notification• High potential for fatal crash reduction

• Does not require any input from the older driver

Forward Collision Warning/Mitigation• Allow for faster reaction times to forward threats, and has

a potential to reduce crashes up to 20%• Mitigation systems help prevent crashes

Implications• Advanced in-vehicle technologies can help

extend the period over which an older adult can drive safely.

• Vehicle manufacturers, dealers, and others need to explore new ways of training drivers to use in-vehicle systems.

• Continuous technology improvement and testing is needed to meet the needs of aging drivers