Analysis of Statistical Data on Single-vehicle Accidents Caused by Pedal Misapplications

Yoko Kato･Yasuhiro Matsui･Akihiro Abe･Michiaki Sekine (NALTEC)

Our previous report revealed that pedal misapplication accidents involving pedestrians tend to result in severe injuries to the pedestrians. On one hand, the drivers involved in single-vehicle accidents also would have severe injuries. In this report, we analyzed statistical data on single-vehicle accidents caused by pedal misapplications.

The Effects of Visual Field Training on Driving Performance of Elderly Drivers
-Study on Driver Characteristics for Delaying Driving Cessation (43)-

Akio Hirano･Kunitomo Aoki (Nagoya University)･Kazuhiko Yamashita･Hidenori Horita･Kazumasa Onda (Suzuki Motor)･Sueharu Nagiri (Nagoya University)･Makoto Inagami (Gunma University)･Hiroshi Kishi･Takashi Yonekawa･Hirofumi Aoki (Nagoya University)

We examined the effects of visual field training on driving performance in elderly drivers. Participants drove in an immersive driving simulator (DS) with a dynamic useful field of view (UFOV) task.　After the DS driving test, the intervention group received visual field training with a tablet device twice daily for a week, while a control group did not receive any training. Then, another DS driving test was conducted and the intervention group showed significant improvement in some driving metrices.

Evaluation of Driving Ability in Elderly Drivers through Dynamic Grip Strength Analysis

Ryuma Majikina･Yasumi Ito･Ryuichi Yamada･Ryosei Naito･Qin Xu･Takashi Nonaka･Ayumu Honda･Yoshiyuki Kagiyama (University of Yamanashi)･Yuki Tanaka (Gunma University)･Tetsuya Nemoto (University of Yamanashi)

This study aims to elucidate the relationship between driving ability and various aspects of muscle strength involved in accelerator and brake operations, as well as steering control. Based on the results of dynamic grip strength measurements, we assess factors such as the time required to exert muscle strength, the rate of muscle strength increase, maximum muscle strength, and muscle strength endurance.

Driver Evaluation System based on Head Movement Data: Feedback Effect for Changing Driving Behavior of the Elderly Driver

Yuki Yoshihara (Nagoya University)･Hiroko Tanabe (Hokkaido University)･Nihan Karatas･Hitoshi Kanamori･Asuka Harada (Nagoya University)･Motoshi Kojima･Shuhei Manabe (Toyota Motor)･Takahiro Tanaka (Nagoya University)

To prevent elderly drivers crashes at stop sign intersections, we present a driver evaluation system that can visualize driver head movement as well as its safety levels as driving score. The system based on a driving simulator and a driver monitoring system, and generates a diagnostic report from driving data. We validated the efficacy of the feedback by giving the report to eight elderly drivers.

Examination of the Effect of Age-related Changes in Body Schema on Pedal Operation

Takashi Hosokawa･Takashi Tagawa (JARI)･Machiko Hiramatsu･Hiroyuki Mae (JAMA)

This study examined the root cause of pedal missteps, in which the driver presses the accelerator pedal while thinking it is the brake, based on the hypothesis that age-related distortion of the body schema affects the pedal misstep. We developed an evaluation method for the sense of operation, which is a component of body schema, and conducted experiments. Multiple regression analysis using foot position error during pedal change as the objective variable yielded a significant model with leg position sensitivity and plantar sensation as explanatory variables, indicating that blunted sensation of operation may influence the occurrence of pedal operation errors.

Age-related Changes in Pedal Operation and Their Effects on Driving (3rd Report)
-How to Make Pedals Easier to Operate for Elderly Drivers-

Machiko Hiramatsu･Tsutomu Kawano･Yui Kato･Akihiko Ebina･Tsuyoshi Sakuma (Nissan Motor)

Pedal operation is a driving task in which future vehicles could better account for physical characteristics of elderly drivers. We previously reported that the dexterity for small pedal operations during slow maneuvers decreases with age, and that this affects behavior such as passing through intersections with a stop-sign and parking. In this paper, we describe the muscular effort of the legs when operating pedals with different geometries and counterforces and our conclusion for characteristics of pedals that are easy for elderly people to operate.