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Table 1 Functional decline of elderly drivers and assistance needed (Source: adapted from Davidse [31])
From: The application of in-vehicle systems for elderly drivers
Functional decline | Assistance needed |
|---|---|
Vision and hearing | |
 Peripheral vision | Signalling objects that are located in the driver’s blind spot |
 Night time visual acuity | Artificially lighting objects (other road users and road design elements) |
 Sensitivity to glare | Prevent glare |
 Contrast sensitivity | Draw attention to approaching traffic |
 Colour vision | Degree of contrast |
 Motion perception | Draw attention to approaching traffic |
 Hearing | Audible cues to visual information display |
Cognitive processing and decision making | |
 Divided attention | Prioritisation of tasks and simplifying sequences of tasks |
 Selective attention | Assist the driver in directing his/her attention to relevant information |
 Speed of processing information and making decisions | Provide prior knowledge on the next traffic situation |
 Performing tasks consciously | Provide prior knowledge on the next traffic situation |
Physical changes | |
 Flexibility of head and neck | Signalling objects that are located in the driver’s blind spot |
 Manual dexterity and strength | Ergonomic design |
Interaction with other road users | |
 Performance under pressure of time | Provide prior knowledge on the next traffic situation |
 Insight in the behaviour of other road users | Draw attention to approaching traffic and its behaviour |