Analysis of aging drivers' behaviors navigating with in-vehicle visual display systems

Abstract

A study was conducted to analyze the behavioral and visual strategies of drivers observed through videotape recordings which took into account subject gaze movements and field of view. Driver performance was evaluated in terms of the total time from starting point to destination and the number of navigational errors. Analysis showed that aging drivers modified their visual strategies under guidance. The duration and frequency of glances toward the navigational system were higher for the elderly in comparison with young adults, indicating a noticeable decrease in the time spent looking at the road. Compared with a paper map, the guidance system was found to lead to fewer navigational errors, less loss of time for environmental landmark search, and shorter route completion time.<>