Engineering Strategies for Older Drivers

Will SteinFederal Highway Administration

May 6, 2010

Measures that improve safety for older drivers almost always improve safety for the

population at large.

Key Functional Abilities affected by Aging

• Physical function: strength, flexibility, range of motion.• Vision: visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, glare

sensitivity.• Cognition: working memory, selective attention,

processing speed.

Engineering Resource

http://www.trb.org/Main/Public/Blurbs/154829.aspx

1. Advance warning signs

2. Advance guide signs and street name signs

Engineering Resource

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/

3. Increase size and letter height of roadway signs

4. Provide all-red clearance intervals at signalized intersections5. Provide more protected left-turn signal phases at high-volume intersections

Other signal enhancements:—Background shields—Larger signal heads

6. Provide offset turn lanes at intersections

7. Improve lighting at intersections, horizontal curves, and railroad crossings

8. Improve roadway delineation

9. Replace painted channelization with raised channelization

10. Reduce intersection skew angle

11. Improve traffic control at work zones

Engineering Resources

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/PocketGuide0404.pdf

Other FHWA Resourceshttp://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/older_users/• Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and

Pedestrians(updated version planned for 2011).

• Guidelines and Recommendations to Accommodate Older Drivers and Pedestrians(updated version planned for 2010).

• Older Driver and Pedestrian Design Workshop

Measures that improve safety for older drivers almost always improve safety for the

population at large.

Questions & Comments