2134/18560
Sukru Karali
Sukru
Karali
Diane Gyi
Diane
Gyi
Neil Mansfield
Neil
Mansfield
Better vehicle design for all
Loughborough University
2015
Vehicle ergonomics
Older drivers
Vehicle design
Ageing
Ergonomics
Human factors
Design Practice and Management not elsewhere classified
2015-08-27 08:25:27
Conference contribution
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/conference_contribution/Better_vehicle_design_for_all/9340055
There is a growing population of older people around the world and the population of older drivers is showing a
parallel increase. According to 2012 figures of the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency there are more than 15
million people with a driving license aged over 60; more than 1 million of these are over 80. A questionnaire survey
of older compared to younger drivers (n=903) and supplementary interviews with drivers aged ≥ 65 years (n=15)
were conducted. The questionnaire survey covered: musculoskeletal symptoms, the vehicle seat, access to specific
vehicle features, ingress/egress, driving performance and driving behavior. In terms of musculoskeletal symptoms,
significantly more discomfort was reported by older drivers in the hips, thighs, buttocks and knees compared to
younger drivers. 10.5% of respondents reported that they were dissatisfied with adjusting specific seat features,
namely the head rest height, head rest distance from the head and setting the seat belt height. Females reported more
difficulty than males. Older males and females (16.8%) reported more difficulties with parallel parking and driving
on a foggy day than younger (12.2%) drivers (p<0.01). Compared to younger drivers, older drivers also reported
being less distracted when using navigation systems (25.5% and 19.5% respectively).