road design standards for older drivers

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Road Design Standards for Older Drivers

Publication No. FHWA-RD-01-103

Randy HulseyDirector

Douglas County Department of Transportation

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Increase in Older Drivers

DESIGNING for Older Drives makes the system more user friendly and enhances the driving experience for

all drivers!!

One in eight people today is age 65 or older. By 2030, the number is expected to increase to one in five.

Per Miles Driven, Seniors have higher crash rates than any other age group, except teenagers.

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Increase in Older DriversRoad Design Standards for Older Drivers

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Attributes Required for the Driving Task

Visual

Mental

Physical


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Example of an Eye Chart

LO B

T C L

H A K E


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Diminished Visual Capabilities

Reductions in Acuity

Ability to read information on road signs

Ability to see fine detail and high contrast features


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Reductions in Contrast Sensitivity:

Ability to detect low contrast features that don’t have well defined edges.

Examples are: worn lane lines edge of roadway curbs other road users at dusk


8Source: VISTECH


View with Good Acuity & Normal Contrast

SensitivityView with Poor Contrast

Sensitivity

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Increased Sensitivity to Glare

reduction in contrast for detecting objects in the presence of oncoming headlights

Decreased Dark Adaptation

ability to detect targets when moving in and out of lighted areas


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People require 2 times the amount of light for each 10-13 years after the age of 25 to:

Visually detect the same information

View at Age 20 View at Age 60 View at Age 70



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Diminished Mental Capabilities

Selective Attention

ability to filter information and continuously focus on the most critical information


Decreased Motion Sensitivity

ability to judge gaps for turning, crossing, and merge maneuvers

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Divided Attention

ability to process information from multiple sources simultaneously


Perception-Reaction Time (PRT)

time to make a decision and then physically respond with a controlled vehicle movement.

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Working Memory

ability to store, manipulate, and retrieve information for later use


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Diminished Physical Capabilities

1. Reduced Upper Limb (arm, shoulder) Strength, Flexibility & Range of Motion

2. Reduced Lower Limb (leg, knee, ankle, foot) Strength, Flexibility & Range of Motion

3. Reduced Head/Neck and Upper Torso Flexibility & Range of Motion


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Older Drivers Tend to Have Fewer Crashes

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 85+

Driver Age

Cra

shes

per

100

0 d

rive

rs

(Source NCSA, 2000)

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Increase in Highway Safety Risk for Older Drivers


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Specific Attributes of the Problem

Studies show that compared with other age groups, older drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes at intersections, especially when attempting a left-turn maneuver. Drivers 85 and older are more than 10 times as likely as 40-49 year olds to be in fatal multiple-vehicle crashes at intersections.

About 55% of people age 85 and older who died in collisions died in angle collisions.


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Douglas County DOT’s - Efforts to Accommodate

Improving the Installation of Advance Warning Signage


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Improving Pavement Markings and Installation of Raised Pavement Markers.


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Increase Night Time Visibility Through The Use Of High Intensity Reflective Sign Material, Installation Of RPM’s, Illuminated Street Name Signs, and LED Signal Heads.


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Douglas County

WHAT DOES THIS

MEAN?????


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Implications To Douglas County Planning & PolicyRoadway Transportation

•Develop a maintenance plan for replacement and repair of signage, striping and signals•Plan, design, and require developers to intersect streets at 90° to prevent skews•Plan, design, and require developers to provide adequate sight distance at intersections•Increase lane and shoulder widths which requires the purchase of additional right of way•Plan and fund the installation of street lights•Retrofit street name signs•Increase road contrast sensitivity by encouraging the usage of thermoplastic striping material instead of paint•Develop a sidewalk program that will install ADA facilities•Remove unnecessary signs, thus reducing sign clutter


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Implications To Douglas County Planning & Policy

Alternative Transportation•Transportation options need to be readily available with incentives for the aging population for utilization and support of this group •Provide timely, safe and secure service that supports the needs of this population•Incorporate design standards to support the aging population in all roadway projects•Encourage opportunities to increase service and modes through transit strategies•Offer incentives for car and vanpooling or shuttle systems to major activity centers•Identify connectivity and accessibility needs


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Implications To Douglas County Planning & PolicyLanduse

•Promote high-density residential•Promote retail and medical services in close proximity to housing•Promote commercial districts to encourage the use of transit

Pedestrian•Modify walking speed calculations for pedestrian timings•Implement retrofit facility installation program•Create a network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities to link residential areas, activity centers, the river, and park and school systems •Develop a program for intersection improvements to aid pedestrian mobility


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Thank You

Mark DoctorSafety EngineerFHWA Resource Center, Safety & Design TSTAtlanta, GA(404) [email protected]

Henrietta Rajadurai Kuoh, MPHInjury Prevention SectionGeorgia Division of Public Health2 Peachtree StreetSuite 10- 403Atlanta, GA 30303(404) [email protected]

Special Thanks to the following for the information and props provided for this presentation.

If you want additional information regarding recommended practices forOlder Driver Design or classes, contact:


road design standards for older drivers

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