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Abstract

Grant Number:	2R44AG018675-02
PI Name:	ALLEN, R WADE.
PI Email:	rwallen@systemstech.com
PI Title:
Project Title:	Procedures for Testing Older Driving Capabilities

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary objective of this proposed project is to develop a low-cost driving simulator that can be used for screening and potentially retraining the psychomotor, attentional and cognitive skills of older drivers. This development will build on an already existing device that has been used to assess driver behavior impaired by alcohol and fatigue and to train novice drivers. The simulation device is intended to have well developed and sensitive measurement paradigms for assessing psychomotor, attentional and cognitive skills, which have been developed in prior research. The motivation for this development is the growing concern for improving the safety and mobility of older drivers. The basic hardware and software technology for a low cost driving simulation has already been developed and found to be sensitive to driver age. A Phase I feasibility study has shown that efficient test procedures can result in sensitive detection of age impaired driving skills. In this Phase II SBIR project we propose to: 1) further refine the simulator physical format and the driving scenarios and measurement paradigms to asses the psychomotor, attentional and cognitive skills of drivers in critical road and traffic situations; 2) conduct a large study with middle aged and older driver groups to validate the expanded simulation capabilities for screening and training the safety related skills of older drivers.

Thesaurus Terms:
aging, computer simulation, computer system design /evaluation, transportation /recreation safety
attention, cognition, computer program /software, computer system hardware, psychomotor function
behavior test, clinical research, human middle age (35-64), human old age (65+), human subject

Institution:	SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
	13766 S HAWTHORNE BLVD
	HAWTHORNE, CA 90250
Fiscal Year:	2003
Department:
Project Start:	15-JUN-2000
Project End:	31-AUG-2005
ICD:	NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
IRG:	ZRG1

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