Abstract
In the current study we examined differences in the use of visual information for the control of braking for older and younger drivers. On each trial, drivers controlled braking in a driving simulator during approach to three stop signs. Their task was to apply smooth and continuous braking and stop in front of the stop signs. The initial time-to contact, initial speed, texture on the ground and size of the stop signs were manipulated. The mean stop distance relative to the stop signs, standard deviation of stop distance, crash rate, mean time-to-contact at onset of braking, and distribution of tau-dot were analyzed. Overall we found that older drivers had larger mean stop distances and lower crash rates as compared to younger drivers. In addition, regulation of tau-dot varied as a function of size for younger but not for older drivers. These results, taken together, suggest that older drivers may use size information differently than younger drivers in braking regulation.
Highlights
Safe driving performance includes the successful detection and avoidance of an impending collision
Despite an extensive literature on the human factors of driving performance it is surprising that relatively few studies have examined how a driver regulates braking and what visual information is used by a driver to control braking
Since underestimation of time to contact suggests that observers believe that less time is available to avoid collisions, these findings suggest that older observers may react early than younger observers when actively regulating braking control
Summary
Safe driving performance includes the successful detection and avoidance of an impending collision. Data from the Federal Highway Administration indicate that the percentage of 65 and older age drivers on the road will increase from 13% in 2007 to 23% in 2030 as a result of changing age demographics within the United States [3]. These findings suggest that understanding age-related differences in braking control is an important issue for understanding increased risk of crashes with older drivers and roadway safety
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