title: The impact of intersection design on simulated driving performance of young and senior adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) proposed guidelines for highway design to increase the safe driving ability of older drivers; however, little empirical evidence exists to support the effectiveness of these guidelines. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of implementing these guidelines (in 4 pairs of intersections) on safe driving performance of older and younger drivers using a high-fidelity driving simulator.
  
  
  METHODS
  We replicated four intersection pairs (improved versus unimproved) in a high-fidelity, virtual reality driving simulator. Simulator scenarios were created from actual road locations, replicating road geometrics and traffic control devices. The simulator's controls were integrated with an actual vehicle to make the driving experience as realistic as possible. Kinematic measures were obtained from the simulator in conjunction with driving errors recorded by trained driving evaluators sitting in the cab of the car. Thirty-nine subjects, 19 younger and 20 older adults, participated in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the kinematic data we found greater lateral control, as indicated by significantly smaller maximum yaw during the turn phase, at all of the improved intersections when compared to the unimproved intersections. We found some significant age differences, but mostly in only one of the intersection-pairs. For the behavioral data, there were significant differences in driving errors between improved and unimproved intersections in two intersection-pairs; however, there were no significant differences in driving errors between the older and younger drivers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that both young and older drivers may benefit from roadways with safety features recommended by the FHWA guidelines as indicated by the increased lateral control of the vehicle when negotiating these intersections. These findings generate critical information for those involved in the design of roadway systems.
authors: College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida. Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA. oshechtman@phhp.ufl.edu
authors: Oritz
authors: O
authors: Shechtman
authors: Sherrilene
authors: S
authors: Classen
authors: Burton
authors: B
authors: Stephens
authors: Roxanna
authors: R
authors: Bendixen
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Belchior
authors: Milapt
authors: M
authors: Sandhu
authors: Dennis
authors: D
authors: McCarthy
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Mann
authors: Ethan
authors: E
authors: Davis
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001334:Automobile Driving; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis