University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, MA 01003, USA.
Hum Factors. 2009 Oct;51(5):652-68. doi: 10.1177/0018720809352654.
This study aimed (a) to determine whether older drivers looked less often for potential threats while turning than younger drivers and (b) to compare the effectiveness of active and passive training on older drivers' performance and evaluation of their driving skills in intersections.
Age-related declines in vision, physical abilities, psychomotor coordination, and cognition combine to make it less likely that older drivers will look for potential threats during a turn. Research suggests that active training should be an effective means of improving older drivers' performance and self-awareness.
In Experiment 1, younger and older participants drove a series of virtual intersection scenarios, were shown video replays, and were provided feedback. In Experiment 2, older drivers were assigned to one of three cohorts: active simulator training, passive classroom training, or no training. Pre- and posttraining simulator and field drives assessed training effectiveness.
In Experiment 1, older drivers looked less often during turns than younger drivers. Customized feedback was successful in altering drivers' perception of their abilities. In Experiment 2, active training increased a driver's probability of looking for a threat during a turn by nearly 100% in both posttraining simulator and field drives. Those receiving passive training or no training showed no improvement.
Compared with passive training, active training is a more effective strategy for increasing older drivers' likelihood of looking for threats during a turn.
The results of this research can guide the development of programs that could reduce intersection crashes among older drivers.
本研究旨在：(a) 确定老年驾驶员在转弯时是否比年轻驾驶员更少地寻找潜在威胁；(b) 比较主动训练和被动训练对老年驾驶员在交叉口的驾驶表现和驾驶技能评估的有效性。
与年龄相关的视力、身体能力、心理运动协调和认知能力下降，使得老年驾驶员在转弯时不太可能寻找潜在威胁。研究表明，主动训练应该是提高老年驾驶员表现和自我意识的有效手段。
在实验 1 中，年轻和老年参与者驾驶一系列虚拟交叉口场景，观看视频重播，并提供反馈。在实验 2 中，老年驾驶员被分配到三个组之一：主动模拟器训练、被动课堂训练或无训练。在训练前后的模拟器和现场驾驶中评估训练效果。
在实验 1 中，老年驾驶员在转弯时的注视次数少于年轻驾驶员。定制的反馈成功地改变了驾驶员对自己能力的感知。在实验 2 中，主动训练使驾驶员在模拟器和现场驾驶中转弯时寻找威胁的可能性增加了近 100%。接受被动训练或无训练的驾驶员没有改善。
与被动训练相比，主动训练是提高老年驾驶员在转弯时寻找威胁可能性的更有效策略。
本研究结果可为制定方案提供指导，以减少老年驾驶员在交叉口的事故。
