Driver Simulation Training for Aging Adults

Overseen By Shiva Yazdani, MSc

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Western University, Canada

Must not be taking: Psychotropic medications

Disqualifiers: Neurological, psychiatric conditions, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 12 weeks

68 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you use psychotropic medications that negatively affect mental or physical functioning.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment ADAS-integrated driver simulation training for aging adults?

Research shows that tailored training programs for older drivers can improve road safety knowledge, self-perception of driving abilities, and behind-the-wheel performance. Simulated driving tests can help assess cognitive and perceptual factors important for driving, although they may not fully replace on-road tests. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is driver simulation training safe for older adults?

Research shows that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) used in driver simulation training can improve safety for older adults by reducing crashes and improving driver performance. Studies indicate that video-based training is effective in helping older adults learn to use these systems safely. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How is ADAS-integrated driver simulation training different from other treatments for older drivers?

ADAS-integrated driver simulation training is unique because it combines advanced driver-assistance systems with a driving simulator to help older adults improve their driving skills. This approach focuses on educating drivers about ADAS features through video-based training, which has been shown to be more effective for older adults, enhancing their safety and reducing mental workload compared to traditional on-road training. ^{1 9 10 11 12}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The tech-wise driver: Exploring the sustained efficacy and technology acceptance of targeted ADAS for older drivers A significant percentage of road traffic fatalities registered in Canada occurred among older adults. According to the studies, the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can enhance the safety and mitigate the age-related declines of older drivers. Whether sustained use results in declines in driving performance in older drivers relying on ADAS remains largely unexplored. This is problematic given emerging evidence on ADAS use by older drivers. Furthermore, exploring changes in ADAS technology acceptance in relation to sustained use can inform the correlation between perceived safety and intention to use. The investigators hypothesize that, compared to driving simulator training alone, lane departure warning (LDW), cruise control (CC), and forward proximity warning (FPW) technology will result in a sustained decrease of critical driving errors in this population; and that exposure to the technology will increase participants' perceived usability and ease of use. To achieve this goal, the investigators will explore the determination of sustained efficacy, establish the impact of technology exposure, evaluate the concurrent validity of a computerized model of driving error type and severity using trained occupational therapy in-vehicle evaluation as the criterion, when evaluating older drivers 'performance. Our findings may significantly impact the ability of older drivers to choose in-vehicle technologies, and our study will be the first to assess the criterion validity of a simulator-derived computerized model against the findings of an evaluator-based functional assessment.

Research Team

Liliana Alvarez, PhD

Principal Investigator

Western University, Canada

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for older adults aged 65 or above who have a valid driver's license. It aims to understand how certain car safety features can help them drive safer and whether they find these technologies easy and useful.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 65 years old or older.

I have a valid driver's license.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete vision screening, driving history, and various cognitive and physical assessments

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants undergo ADAS-integrated driver simulation training or control training sessions

12 weeks

Multiple sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for sustained efficacy of ADAS intervention and driving performance

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• ADAS-integrated driver simulation training

Trial Overview The study tests if training with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) like lane departure warnings, cruise control, and forward proximity warning in a driving simulator can reduce driving errors over time compared to just simulator training.

Participant Groups

Group I: ADAS-integrated driver simulation training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The intervention administered in this study is ADAS-integrated driver simulation training. Participants in this arm will undergo training sessions using a high-fidelity driving simulator equipped with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Cruise Control (CC), and Forward Proximity Warning (FPW) technologies. These technologies are designed to assist older drivers (≥65 years of age) in improving their driving performance and reducing critical driving errors. The training will simulate real-world driving scenarios to help participants become familiar with and effectively use these ADAS features.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Western University, Canada

Lead Sponsor

Trials

270

Recruited

62,500+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of a Virtual Older Driver Assessment with an On-Road Driving Test. [2018]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Older driver training programs: A systematic review of evidence aimed at improving behind-the-wheel performance. [2020]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of a low and high resource intervention on older drivers' knowledge, behaviors and risky driving. [2015]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Older adult driving performance assessed under simulated and on-road conditions. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of educational intervention addressing inaccurate self-assessment of driving performance in older Japanese adults. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association between unsafe driving performance and cognitive-perceptual dysfunction in older drivers. [2011]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Behavioral adaptation of young and older drivers to an intersection crossing advisory system. [2018]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Correspondence between Simulator and On-Road Drive Performance: Implications for Assessment of Driving Safety. [2020]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating advanced driver-assistance system trainings using driver performance, attention allocation, and neural efficiency measures. [2020]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intersection assistance: a safe solution for older drivers? [2013]

11. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Slower adaptation to driving simulator and simulator sickness in older adults. [2019]

12. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advantages of training with an adaptive driving device on a driving simulator compared to training only on the road. [2021]