Practice-Ready Guidelines for Training Older Adults to Use Connected and Automated Vehicles: Testing of an Enhanced Training Program at Mcity Test Facility and the Goodyear Test Track

Development of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) holds promise for reducing traffic crashes and maintaining mobility among older adults by addressing barriers they currently face. The primary purpose of CAV technologies is to improve traffic safety by reducing crashes; these technologies are expected to provide direct benefits to groups needing them the most including older adults. Challenges remain, however, in ensuring that CAVs are accessible, acceptable, and otherwise inclusive. Research suggests that older adults’ acceptability and trust of CAVs is influenced by their understanding of these technologies; yet many older adults lack awareness and knowledge about them. There is an opportunity to extend previous research to improve older adults’ understanding of CAV technologies through training, so that they are better prepared to take advantage of the safety features of these technologies. The objectives of this study are to: (1) enhance a CAV training previously developed for older drivers; (2) provide real-world experience for training, using test vehicles; and (3) evaluate changes in knowledge and acceptance due to training. The study tasks include: (1) refine the training materials/program developed for the previous CCAT project, (Promoting Inclusive Design and Deployment of Connected and Automated Vehicles for Older Adults through Education and Training of Engineering Students and Older Drivers; (2) implement the enhanced training program with older drivers in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Akron, Ohio; (3) evaluate the enhanced training program; and (4) develop practice-ready training guidelines and materials for older adult use of CAV features that can be adapted for other populations.

• Record URL:
  https://ccat.umtri.umich.edu/research/u-m/practice-ready-guidelines-for-training-older-adults-to-use-connected-and-automated-vehicles-testing-of-an-enhanced-training-program-at-mcity-test-facility-and-the-goodyear-test-track/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $280000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348305

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, Michigan  United States  48109
• Project Managers:

  Stearns, Amy

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, Michigan  United States  48109

  University of Akron

  College of Engineering
  Akron, OH  United States  44325
• Principal Investigators:

  Molnar, Lisa

  Yi, Ping

• Start Date: 20231001
• Expected Completion Date: 20250331
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Autonomous vehicles; Connected vehicles; Driver training; Safety
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01906157
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Connected and Automated Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348305
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 28 2024 12:37PM