Helping Older Drivers continue driving safer for longer

The research explores: what problems older people experience with the ability to continue driving safely as they get older; identifying the technologies that could potentially assist them to continue driving; proof of concept trials; and also the quantification of the social and economic consequences of ceasing to drive.

Following a detailed analysis of the problems encountered two potential systems to assist older drivers have been researched in detail: a Sat Nav which meets the needs of older drivers and; Intelligent Speed Control system to assist older drivers to keep to the speed limit in urban areas.

The UK is a car-dependant culture, where driving is important in maintaining social mobility representing independent living. For many senior members of the public, no longer being able to drive a car is one of the most devastating experiences associated with growing old. It can mean loss of independence and is often accompanied by decreased life satisfaction and loss of self-esteem and growing social isolation. Due to age-related functional decline in physical, visual and mental abilities, older drivers are more susceptible to distraction and find it more difficult to perform multi-tasking, for example understanding road signs and travel information delivered to them. Meanwhile retirement age in reflection of the changing demographic is expected to increase; however limited policies surrounding this issue with respect to transport in particular have been discussed.
The adoption of ITS technologies has the potential to provide aid and support not just to the ageing population but to society as a whole. While there are multiple applications of ITS to improve mobility and awareness of the public we have targeted the older demographic through the EPSRC funded Social inclusion in the digital economy (SiDE) project.
Through our research and involvement in the project we have identified numerous issues associated with more senior driver behaviour which can be aided and altered with the support of ITS. Our most recent research involved the projection of speed limit information onto a simulated head up display (HUD) inside the drivers' cabin thus allowing them to smoothly maintain the speed limit. Whilst this technology clearly has safety advantages it also helps address the pressing environmental issues faced in this age by reducing fuel consumption.

There are multiple benefits of improving a senior member of society's safety whilst driving a vehicle, specifically elderly people's continuous engagement with society through their improved mobility. The economic benefit is reflected by their contributions to taxes, both income based, through a longer working live and transport based, the cost of insuring, fuelling and maintaining an automotive. It is more difficult to place a financial figure upon the improvement of a person's quality of life, however by helping to keep elderly people active and mobile for longer it is anticipated that the total cost for social health care can be vastly reduced. We are currently quantifying these costs and benefits and have been discussing with the transport Select Committee the possibility of them gathering evidence on older drivers from a driving licence and insurance policy viewpoints.
There will be 50% more over 70's on the road within 20 years - it is a real societal issue. [1] As well as it is a key societal challenge, and if done correctly in an engaging way could have all sorts of level of impact. Insurance companies are particularly interested in exploring whether such systems could be used to lower insurance premiums for the over 65's if they voluntary choose to retrofit certain systems to their vehicle including Intelligent Speed Control (hence Select Committee's interest). Should be noted this involves the 'long list' of systems we identified, not just the two we have research in detail with the older participants to the study. Moreover SAGA are very interested in supporting further the research here and several high level meeting have taken place to explore this and in particular develop a facility of future research in this area.

[1] - http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/key-issues-for-the-new-parliament/value-for-money-in-public-services/the-ageing-population/