Investigation of Elderly Driver Safety and Comfort: In-Vehicle Intersection “Gap Acceptance Advisor” and Identifying Older Driver Needs

Our work in Toyota GapAdvise is comprised of two interrelated elements: identify driving task challenges, and a pilot study on one particular class of decision support system, an intersection gap advisor. From these elements, we have recommended countermeasures and potential design guidelines for the elderly driving population in the United States. We performed our work in the following sequence of technical tasks, each corresponding to a section heading in this final report: Determine Extent of Problem (Task 1). From crash databases and demographic data, we have determined the projected extent of the problem, extending from past work. From our synthesis and interpretation of data and publications, we have ranked causal factors. Conduct Focus Group and Observational Analysis of Elderly Drivers (Task 2). Through focus groups and observing elderly drivers in their own vehicles, we have developed an understanding of the problems faced by elderly drivers. Conduct Driving Experiments (Task 3). Using PATH instrumented vehicle and test intersection at the University of California, Berkeley’s Richmond Field Station facility, we have performed in-vehicle experiments to characterize driver behaviors. Recommend In-Vehicle Design (Task 4). From Tasks 1 – 3, we provide integrated recommendations, to include engineering constraints and design principles, from Tasks 1 – 3.