<p>The hazard perception test developed by Sagberg and Bjornskau (2006) measuring reaction times in relation to different hazardous situations in traffic, has been used in the present study to analyze older drivers’ visual behaviour when passing/responding to the test.</p><p>The overall objective of this study has been to investigate the relation between hazard perception in traffic and visual behaviour among older drivers in comparison with a younger age group. The purpose of the study was to provide knowledge on what traffic situations that are more difficult for older drivers to interpret or perceive as hazardous. The elderly were expected to have more problems in situations that included objects classified as context hazards. Context hazards consist of objects that are slowly moving on the side of the road, which poses a situation where the driver should be prepared for the potential behaviour of that object.</p><p>The study was composed of two groups of drivers, one group of middle-aged drivers, 35-55 years old, and one group of older drivers, 65 years old and above, who performed the hazard perception test wearing an eye tracker. Hazard interpretation level within age group and situation was investigated, and eye movement data analyzed in terms of fixation duration time.</p><p>Overall results showed that the older participants had more problems in interpreting situations classified as context hazards as risky, especially context hazards consisting of pedestrians or cyclists. The differences were nevertheless significant. In addition, when investigating total fixation time on the hazard objects, the differences between age groups were shown to be significant for one of the situations consisting of pedestrians, classified as context/hidden hazard. No significant differences between age groups were found in either of the other situations.</p><p>The conclusions are that the elderly tentatively should be exposed to context hazards composed by pedestrians or cyclist in future training schemes. Since there were no significant differences between age groups, more research is, however, needed in the area. Also, since the class of context/hidden hazards, which showed significant differences in fixation time between age groups, was composed by only one situation, resembling situations should be investigated in order to verify these differences.</p>

Introduction: Bandura’s self-efficacy theory postulates that confidence is a stronger determinant of behaviour than one’s actual skills or abilities. The Day and Night time Driving Comfort Scales (D-DCS and N-DCS) are new tools to measure perceived confidence in older drivers. Developed inductively with older drivers, the DCSs have good structural properties and preliminary psychometric support, including test-retest reliability. Purpose: This thesis builds on previous work by further examining the construct validity of the DCSs via (1) temporal associations (Study 1) and (2) cross-sectional relationships (Study 2). Study 1 prospectively examined the relationship between DCS scores and self-reported driving behaviour. Study 2, meanwhile, examined cross-sectional associations between DCS scores and selected sample characteristics, self-reported driving behaviour and driving problems, perceived abilities and seven objectively measured driving-related abilities (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, disability glare, brake reaction time, lower body mobility, executive skills and visual attention). Methods: For Study 1, a convenience sample of 82 older drivers (aged 63 to 93) were assessed at baseline and follow-up (five to 17 months later). Study tools comprised the DCSs, multi-item ratings of driving frequency, avoidance and perceived abilities and a background questionnaire. Telephone interviews were conducted with a subgroup of 45 drivers to examine reasons for changes in driving comfort. For Study 2, cross-sectional relationships with the DCSs were examined using baseline data from 65 drivers (aged 63 to 93). A subgroup of 42 participants completed objective assessments of driving-related abilities assessed via ETDRS charts, Pelli-Robson charts, Brightness Acuity Tester, brake reaction time apparatus, the Rapid Paced Walk, the Trail Making Tests (Parts A and B) and the UFOV subtest 2. Results: Prospectively, lower baseline N-DCS scores (p<.001) and decreased N-DCS scores (p<.001) were significant predictors of lower self-reported situational driving frequency (R2 = 34%) and greater situational avoidance (R2 = 51%) at follow-up. While DCS scores did not change appreciably for those who continued driving, N-DCS scores were significantly lower at follow-up for seven individuals who stopped driving (p<.05). Cross-sectionally, lower DCS scores were significantly associated with lower self-reported situational driving frequency, higher situational avoidance and lower ratings of perceived abilities (p<.001). Poorer left eye acuity scores were significantly associated with lower D-DCS (p<.05) and N-DCS (p<.05), while slower performance on Part A of the Trail Making Test was significantly related to lower D-DCS scores (p<.05). Participants with a discrepancy between their perceived and actual abilities had significantly higher D-DCS, situational driving frequency and lower situational avoidance (p<.05). Conclusions: Findings are consistent with Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Rudman’s model of driving self-regulation and, thus, provide further support for the construct validity of the DCSs. Further studies are needed with larger, more diverse samples, including those with diagnosed impairments, to establish benchmarks for driving comfort in healthy drivers and various clinical populations (such as those with stroke, Parkinson’s or visual conditions). Prospective studies should also involve longer follow-up periods, examination of actual driving behaviour and barriers to self-restriction, and attempt to pinpoint whether there is a critical level of discomfort at which voluntary cessation is likely to occur.

The hazard perception test developed by Sagberg and Bjornskau (2006) measuring reaction times in relation to different hazardous situations in traffic, has been used in the present study to analyze older drivers’ visual behaviour when passing/responding to the test. The overall objective of this study has been to investigate the relation between hazard perception in traffic and visual behaviour among older drivers in comparison with a younger age group. The purpose of the study was to provide knowledge on what traffic situations that are more difficult for older drivers to interpret or perceive as hazardous. The elderly were expected to have more problems in situations that included objects classified as context hazards. Context hazards consist of objects that are slowly moving on the side of the road, which poses a situation where the driver should be prepared for the potential behaviour of that object. The study was composed of two groups of drivers, one group of middle-aged drivers, 35-55 years old, and one group of older drivers, 65 years old and above, who performed the hazard perception test wearing an eye tracker. Hazard interpretation level within age group and situation was investigated, and eye movement data analyzed in terms of fixation duration time. Overall results showed that the older participants had more problems in interpreting situations classified as context hazards as risky, especially context hazards consisting of pedestrians or cyclists. The differences were nevertheless significant. In addition, when investigating total fixation time on the hazard objects, the differences between age groups were shown to be significant for one of the situations consisting of pedestrians, classified as context/hidden hazard. No significant differences between age groups were found in either of the other situations. The conclusions are that the elderly tentatively should be exposed to context hazards composed by pedestrians or cyclist in future training schemes. Since there were no significant differences between age groups, more research is, however, needed in the area. Also, since the class of context/hidden hazards, which showed significant differences in fixation time between age groups, was composed by only one situation, resembling situations should be investigated in order to verify these differences.

Introduction: Bandura’s self-efficacy theory postulates that confidence is a stronger determinant of behaviour than one’s actual skills or abilities. The Day and Night time Driving Comfort Scales (D-DCS and N-DCS) are new tools to measure perceived confidence in older drivers. Developed inductively with older drivers, the DCSs have good structural properties and preliminary psychometric support, including test-retest reliability. Purpose: This thesis builds on previous work by further examining the construct validity of the DCSs via (1) temporal associations (Study 1) and (2) cross-sectional relationships (Study 2). Study 1 prospectively examined the relationship between DCS scores and self-reported driving behaviour. Study 2, meanwhile, examined cross-sectional associations between DCS scores and selected sample characteristics, self-reported driving behaviour and driving problems, perceived abilities and seven objectively measured driving-related abilities (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, disability glare, brake reaction time, lower body mobility, executive skills and visual attention). Methods: For Study 1, a convenience sample of 82 older drivers (aged 63 to 93) were assessed at baseline and follow-up (five to 17 months later). Study tools comprised the DCSs, multi-item ratings of driving frequency, avoidance and perceived abilities and a background questionnaire. Telephone interviews were conducted with a subgroup of 45 drivers to examine reasons for changes in driving comfort. For Study 2, cross-sectional relationships with the DCSs were examined using baseline data from 65 drivers (aged 63 to 93). A subgroup of 42 participants completed objective assessments of driving-related abilities assessed via ETDRS charts, Pelli-Robson charts, Brightness Acuity Tester, brake reaction time apparatus, the Rapid Paced Walk, the Trail Making Tests (Parts A and B) and the UFOV subtest 2. Results: Prospectively, lower baseline N-DCS scores (p<.001) and decreased N-DCS scores (p<.001) were significant predictors of lower self-reported situational driving frequency (R2 = 34%) and greater situational avoidance (R2 = 51%) at follow-up. While DCS scores did not change appreciably for those who continued driving, N-DCS scores were significantly lower at follow-up for seven individuals who stopped driving (p<.05). Cross-sectionally, lower DCS scores were significantly associated with lower self-reported situational driving frequency, higher situational avoidance and lower ratings of perceived abilities (p<.001). Poorer left eye acuity scores were significantly associated with lower D-DCS (p<.05) and N-DCS (p<.05), while slower performance on Part A of the Trail Making Test was significantly related to lower D-DCS scores (p<.05). Participants with a discrepancy between their perceived and actual abilities had significantly higher D-DCS, situational driving frequency and lower situational avoidance (p<.05). Conclusions: Findings are consistent with Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Rudman’s model of driving self-regulation and, thus, provide further support for the construct validity of the DCSs. Further studies are needed with larger, more diverse samples, including those with diagnosed impairments, to establish benchmarks for driving comfort in healthy drivers and various clinical populations (such as those with stroke, Parkinson’s or visual conditions). Prospective studies should also involve longer follow-up periods, examination of actual driving behaviour and barriers to self-restriction, and attempt to pinpoint whether there is a critical level of discomfort at which voluntary cessation is likely to occur.

No description available.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Sunanda Dissanayake / The older population (>65 years) numbered 36.8 million in the United States in 2005. By 2030, the number is estimated to be 71.5 million, almost twice as many. An increase in the older population means an increase in older drivers as well. As a result of the natural aging process, the possibility of older drivers being involved in crashes and sustaining severe injuries increases, according to past findings. The objective of this study was to identify characteristics of older drivers involved in crashes in Kansas as well as associated safety issues, which can be used to suggest potential countermeasures for improving safety. A detailed characteristic analysis was carried out for older, middle-aged, and younger drivers involved in crashes, using crash data obtained from the Kansas Department of Transportation, and comparisons were made among the groups. However, the characteristic analysis had no basis with regard to injury severity and hence, univariate statistical analysis was carried out to highlight these severities. In addition, a survey was conducted focusing on identifying older-driver behaviors, potential problems, and level of exposure to various conditions. From the severity analysis, it was found that injury severity of older drivers in crashes occurring on rural roads was significantly higher compared to those on urban roads. Therefore, a detailed analysis was carried out using the decomposition method and ordered probit modeling to identify contributing factors leading to the situation. According to the findings, the number of older male drivers involved in crashes was higher compared to older female drivers, even though older driver licensees’ data indicate the opposite. Most of the older-driver-involved crashes occurred under good environmental conditions and at intersections. A majority of older drivers had difficulties associated with left- turn maneuvering and preferred to avoid high-traffic roads and other demanding conditions. Exposure to inclement weather conditions and difficulties associated with merging, diverging, and identifying speeds and distance of oncoming traffic have lead to higher crash propensity. In rural areas, driving in the wrong direction, failing to comply with traffic signs and signals, and speeding were identified as frequent contributing factors in high severe crashes.

Collision warning systems represent a promising means to reduce rear-end crash involvement. However, these systems experience failures in the real-world that may promote driver distrust and diminish drivers' willingness to comply with warnings. Recent research suggests that not all false alarms (FAs) are detrimental to drivers. However, very few studies have examined how different alarms influence different driving populations. The purpose of this research was to examine how younger, middle-aged, and older drivers (with and without UFOV impairments) evaluated and responded to four different alarm contexts - false alarm (FA), nuisance alarm (NA), unnecessary alarm (UA) and true alarm (TA) - when they did and did not receive warnings. FA contexts represent out-of-path conflict scenarios where it is difficult for the driver to identify the source of the alarm. NA contexts represent out-of-path conflict scenarios that occur in a predictable manner that allows drivers to identify the source of the alarm. UA contexts are transitioning host conflict scenarios where the system issues an alert but the situation resolves itself before the driver needs to intervene. TA contexts represent in-host conflict scenarios where the situation requires the driver to intervene to avoid a collision. The results suggest that alarm context does matter. Compared to response data that differentiates FA and NA from UA and TA, subjective data shows greater sensitivity and differentiates between all four alarm contexts (FA Younger drivers indicated a high degree of confidence in their own ability across the different conditions. While they adopted a similar response pattern as middle-aged drivers during the TA contexts, these drivers responded less frequently than middle-aged and older drivers during the UA context. Diminished hazard perception ability and the tendency to consider these situations less hazardous likely account for the fewer responses made during these situations by younger drivers. Older drivers with and without UFOV impairments indicated similar hazard ratings for UA and TA contexts, yet drivers with UFOV impairments responded less frequently in both alarm contexts. Diminished hazard perception ability, slower simple response times, and degraded contrast sensitivity likely account for the fewer and slower responses. Interestingly older drivers with impairments did respond more frequently when warned during the TA context. They also rated FAs and NAs more positively than the other driver groups. The results of this study suggest applying signal detection theory without concern for the alarm context and driver characteristics is insufficient for understanding how different alarms influence operators and that subjective data can inform design. Researchers are encouraged to combine multiple perspectives that incorporate of both an engineering and human perspective.

The aim of this thesis was to examine the extent, and correlates, of self-regulation of driving behaviour among a sample of South Australian older drivers (aged 60 or more). The first of four studies was an analysis of official crash statistics in South Australia over a period of five years. The patterns of crash involvement for South Australian older drivers were found to resemble those reported in the literature for other jurisdictions. Lower levels of crash involvement for older drivers in difficult driving situations (peak hour, rain, darkness) were interpreted as indirect evidence for self-regulation of driving behaviour. The second study involved pilot testing a measure developed specifically for assessing the visual attention of older adults (the Computerised Visual Attention Test - CVAT). The CVAT assesses visual attention by measuring target detection and reaction time for central and peripheral stimuli, and in conditions requiring selective and divided attention. The third study involved assessing the test-retest reliability, construct validity and predictive validity of the CVAT. It was concluded that the CVAT is a reliable measure of abilities including, but not restricted to, attention, and that it is correlated with on-road driving ability. The fourth study involved an examination of the driving behaviour and attitudes of 104 drivers aged over 60, with avoidance of difficult driving situations providing an index of self-regulation. These drivers also completed a battery of tests measuring psychological factors, vision, physical functioning, various cognitive abilities, and attention (the CVAT). Ninety participants additionally completed an on-road assessment of driving ability. It was found that older drivers most often avoided reverse parallel parking and driving at night in the rain, while driving alone was avoided least often. Measures of visual attention, medication use and visual acuity were most predictive of levels of self-regulation, while poorer driving ability was only associated with avoidance of a small number of specific situations. Functional deficits related to poorer driving ability but not to self-regulation included poorer contrast sensitivity, speed of information processing and spatial memory. Such deficits could identify drivers who may need to restrict their driving more than they do. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Department of Psychology, 2004.

This paper presents the results of a focus group study exploring older individuals' perceptions of older drivers. The study extends the stereotype research of Joanisse, Gagnon, and Voloaca (2012b), further investigating the terms used to describe older drivers. Also explored were the ways older adults perceive age versus health in their considerations of driving. Three focus groups (N=24) were conducted with former and current drivers, 64 years and older, living in Asheville, North Carolina. Participants showed positivity in their descriptions of older drivers as "slow" and "cautious" and believed they adapted their driving behavior as aging demanded. Participants showed heterogeneity in their acceptance of the health issues that threatened their continued driving ability. The importance of context in understanding stereotypes of older adults is illustrated. Results are discussed in terms of ingroup/outgroup theory in line with the proposed model.

The aim of this thesis was to examine the extent, and correlates, of self-regulation of driving behaviour among a sample of South Australian older drivers (aged 60 or more). The first of four studies was an analysis of official crash statistics in South Australia over a period of five years. The patterns of crash involvement for South Australian older drivers were found to resemble those reported in the literature for other jurisdictions. Lower levels of crash involvement for older drivers in difficult driving situations (peak hour, rain, darkness) were interpreted as indirect evidence for self-regulation of driving behaviour. The second study involved pilot testing a measure developed specifically for assessing the visual attention of older adults (the Computerised Visual Attention Test - CVAT). The CVAT assesses visual attention by measuring target detection and reaction time for central and peripheral stimuli, and in conditions requiring selective and divided attention. The third study involved assessing the test-retest reliability, construct validity and predictive validity of the CVAT. It was concluded that the CVAT is a reliable measure of abilities including, but not restricted to, attention, and that it is correlated with on-road driving ability. The fourth study involved an examination of the driving behaviour and attitudes of 104 drivers aged over 60, with avoidance of difficult driving situations providing an index of self-regulation. These drivers also completed a battery of tests measuring psychological factors, vision, physical functioning, various cognitive abilities, and attention (the CVAT). Ninety participants additionally completed an on-road assessment of driving ability. It was found that older drivers most often avoided reverse parallel parking and driving at night in the rain, while driving alone was avoided least often. Measures of visual attention, medication use and visual acuity were most predictive of levels of self-regulation, while poorer driving ability was only associated with avoidance of a small number of specific situations. Functional deficits related to poorer driving ability but not to self-regulation included poorer contrast sensitivity, speed of information processing and spatial memory. Such deficits could identify drivers who may need to restrict their driving more than they do. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Department of Psychology, 2004.