title: Assessment of driving performance using a simulator protocol: validity and reproducibility.
abstract: We examined the validity and reproducibility of simulator-based driving evaluations. In Study 1, we examined correlations among Trails A and B, demerit points for simulated drives, and simulator-recorded errors. With one exception, correlations ranged from .44 (p = .103) to .83 (p = .001). In Study 2, we examined correlations among Trail Making Test Part A, Useful Field of View, and demerit points for simulated drives; correlations ranged from .50 to .82 (all ps < .001). The correlation between demerit points for on-road and simulated drives was .74 (p = .035). We examined reproducibility of simulator assessments using the playback function; intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from .73 to .87 (all ps < .001). These results suggest that simulators could be used to facilitate the evaluation of fitness to drive.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Safe Driving, Lakehead University, Room MS-2004, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada. mbedard@lakeheadu.ca
authors.forename: Michel B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bédard
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parkkari
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riendeau
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahlquist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001333:Automobile Driver Examination; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000592:standards*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult