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• 1. [Article] The performance of drivers with physical limitations at T-intersections

  The research examines the effect of restricted head and neck movement on driving performance as measured by decision time at T-intersections. The traffic safety and human factors literature was reviewed, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The performance of drivers with physical limitations at T-intersections Author: Hunter-Zaworski, Katharine M. The research examines the effect of restricted head and neck movement on driving performance as measured by decision time at T-intersections. The traffic safety and human factors literature was reviewed, and very little was found concerning drivers with physical limitations. T-intersections were selected for study because most accidents involving drivers with diminished capacities occur at intersections, and T-intersections are simpler than four-way intersections. A laboratory study was selected to provide better experimental control, safety and repeatability. A unique methodology was used that employed a fixed base driving simulator which incorporated the use of video recordings of intersections to provide a 180 degree field of view. Eighteen intersections were studied with various levels of traffic volume and sight distance. The 72 test subjects were between the ages of 30-50, or 60-80, and half in each age group had restricted range of movement of their neck. The task for the subjects was to depress the brake pedal, watch the video presentations of the T-intersections on three screens and indicate when it was safe to make a left turn by releasing the brake pedal. The decision time was a measure of driving performance. The study results confirmed the hypotheses that; 1. decision time increases with age, and age effects dominated the other factors which were studied, 2. decision time increases with age and level of impairment indicating that younger drivers are able to compensate for their impairments, but older drivers both with and without impairments are unable to make compensations in their driving performance, 3. traffic volume has a greater impact on decision time at intersections than sight distance, 4. skewed intersections are hazardous for drivers with neck impairments. Further laboratory and field studies are recommended to validate the study results and to examine the problem of skewed intersections. Title: The performance of drivers with physical limitations at T-intersections Author: Hunter-Zaworski, Katharine M. The research examines the effect of restricted head and neck movement on driving performance as measured by decision time at T-intersections. The traffic safety and human factors literature was reviewed, and very little was found concerning drivers with physical limitations. T-intersections were selected for study because most accidents involving drivers with diminished capacities occur at intersections, and T-intersections are simpler than four-way intersections. A laboratory study was selected to provide better experimental control, safety and repeatability. A unique methodology was used that employed a fixed base driving simulator which incorporated the use of video recordings of intersections to provide a 180 degree field of view. Eighteen intersections were studied with various levels of traffic volume and sight distance. The 72 test subjects were between the ages of 30-50, or 60-80, and half in each age group had restricted range of movement of their neck. The task for the subjects was to depress the brake pedal, watch the video presentations of the T-intersections on three screens and indicate when it was safe to make a left turn by releasing the brake pedal. The decision time was a measure of driving performance. The study results confirmed the hypotheses that; 1. decision time increases with age, and age effects dominated the other factors which were studied, 2. decision time increases with age and level of impairment indicating that younger drivers are able to compensate for their impairments, but older drivers both with and without impairments are unable to make compensations in their driving performance, 3. traffic volume has a greater impact on decision time at intersections than sight distance, 4. skewed intersections are hazardous for drivers with neck impairments. Further laboratory and field studies are recommended to validate the study results and to examine the problem of skewed intersections. Close

• 2. [Article] Driving decisions in later life

  Published October 1998. Reprinted October 2003. Please check for up-to-date informatin in the OSU Extension Service Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Driving decisions in later life Author: Washington State University. Extension, Bowman, Sally R., 1949-, Schmall, Vicki L., Pacific Northwest Cooperative Extension, University of Idaho. Extension, Oregon State University. Extension Service, Vorhies, Daniel G. Published October 1998. Reprinted October 2003. Please check for up-to-date informatin in the OSU Extension Service Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog Title: Driving decisions in later life Author: Washington State University. Extension, Bowman, Sally R., 1949-, Schmall, Vicki L., Pacific Northwest Cooperative Extension, University of Idaho. Extension, Oregon State University. Extension Service, Vorhies, Daniel G. Published October 1998. Reprinted October 2003. Please check for up-to-date informatin in the OSU Extension Service Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog Close