What are the benefits and safety implications of route guidance systems for elderly drivers?

Abstract

The evaluations using the TraveIpilot route guidance system have shown that a sample of 35 elderly drivers has been able to use the device in a real driving situation, in an unfamiliar car and a largely unfamiliar area, with no safety-related problems. Furthermore, in the opinion of an expert driving assessor, the overall standard of the sample's driving was not adversely affected when the route guidance system was used. It has been observed, however, that some drivers' performance deteriorated to some degree when faced with the dual task of driving and following the route guidance system's instructions. Similarly, recordings of subjects' glance strategies when using the system have suggested that those with a better short-term memory, are equipped to use the technology more effectively.