Development of hazard perception test for the elderly considering personal characteristics

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K18716
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychology and related fields
• Research Institution: Kansai University of Welfare Sciences
• Principal Investigator: Hatta Takeshi 関西福祉科学大学, 健康福祉学部, 教授 (80030469)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 岩原 昭彦 京都女子大学, 発達教育学部, 教授 (30353014) ; 木村 貴彦 関西福祉科学大学, 健康福祉学部, 教授 (80379221)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-06-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: hazard perception test / elderly people / traffic accident / attention / tablet based equipment

Outline of Final Research Achievements

As the cause of traffic accidents among elderly drivers derived from the decline in cognitive functions that accompanies aging. We aimed to develop a tablet-type testing device that can provide feedback to elderly drivers about their ability to perceive hazards under driving conditions. Considering the unique reaction styles of the elderly, we have developed a prototype system that can measure stimulus screen presentations, reaction times, incorrect reactions, etc. on a touch panel device. Using elderly people, its reliability has been examined. At present, we are leaving the implementation of the hazard scenes of driving a car as a stimulus screen as a future task.

Free Research Field

psychology

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高齢ドライバーの増加で事故が増加している状況を打破する方策に、中高齢期から始まる注意機能の低下を本人に的確に理解させることがあると考えた。高齢者に自己の認知機能を簡便にフィードバックし、自らが機能低下を実感することが、運転時の注意増進や運転免許返納に寄与すると考えた。高齢者の反応特性により手間取ったが、注意課題を実装したタブレット版プロトタイプを信頼性とuseability の高い試作機として制作できた。次に、注意課題をハザード事態の刺激画面に置き換えることで、簡便にハザード事態での知覚能力をフィードバックできる検査器具の開発準備ができたことに意義があると考えている。