Older drivers and driving automation

Abstract

Older drivers, representing the most growing segment of the driving population, are generally considered safe and cautious drivers and it is known that they self-regulate their driving behavior to minimize the risk of crashing. However, their age-related perceptual and cognitive declines lead them to change their driving habits as a way of compensating their limitations and difficulties in driving. Being older drivers particularly vulnerable, it is considered that in-vehicle technologies represent a potential to increase safety and possibly save lives. Automation in the road transport system is coming faster than expected but most of the potential users have unrealistic representations of autonomous vehicles, the driver’s role in automation or the impacts of automation on the road transport system. Thus, the adoption of partial or full automation to help older drivers in the performance of the driving task is still requiring in-depth research, as well as the design and application of appropriate training programs.