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Using Simulation to Better Understand the Effects of Aging on Driver Visibility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

Tara Kajaks ,
Brenda Vrkljan ,
Joy MacDermid  and
Allison Godwin
Tara Kajaks*
Affiliation:
School of Kinesiology, McMaster University Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
Brenda Vrkljan
Affiliation:
School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University
Joy MacDermid
Affiliation:
School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University Hand and Upper Limb Centre Clinical Research Lab, St. Joseph’s Health Centre
Allison Godwin
Affiliation:
Human Kinetics, Laurentian University
*
†La correspondance et les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être adressées à: / Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to: Tara Kajaks, M.Sc. Department of Kinesiology McMaster University 1280 Main Street West Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8 (kajakst@mcmaster.ca)
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Abstract

This proof-of-concept pilot study explored virtual simulation methodology to quantify blind-spot line-of-sight using avatars derived from an older driver database (n = 100). Siemens Jack software simulated the blind spots of eight older driver avatars (four female). The male and female avatars were scaled to be small (25th percentile) and large (75th percentile) based on the height distribution for the older driver database, and had either “normal” (65 degrees) or “abnormal” (50 degrees) neck range of motion (ROM). A virtual model of a Volkswagen Beetle was used to illustrate left and right blind-spot line-of-sight for each avatar. Average line-of-sight between blind spots was 22.3 per cent and 10.4 per cent in the “normal” and “abnormal” rotational neck ROM conditions, respectively. Older drivers with functional impairments affecting neck ROM are more likely to have problems with left blind-spot line-of-sight. Findings are discussed with regard to vehicle design considerations for older adults.

Résumé

Cette étude de preuve de concept pilote a exploré une méthodologie utilisant la simulation virtuelle pour quantifier les angles non visibles des visibilités optiques, et en utilisant des avatars tirés d’une ancienne base de données (n = 100). Les logiciels Siemens Jack ont simulé les angles morts de huit avatars des conducteurs âgés (quatre femmes). Les avatars masculins et féminins ont été mis à l’échelle aux petites tailles (25e centile) et aux grandes tailles (75e centile), basé sur la distribution de la hauteur de la base de données des conducteurs âgés, et ils avaient l’amplitude de mouvement du cou “normal” (65 degrés) ou “anormal” 50 degrés (ROM). Un modèle virtuel d’une Volkswagen Beetle a été utilisé pour illustrer les angles morts lignes de visée à gauche et à droit pour chaque avatar. La moyenne ligne de visée entre les angles morts était de 22,3 pourcent et 10,4 pourcent dans les conditions «normales» et «anormales» de rotation du cou (ROM), respectivement. Les conducteurs âgés ayant des troubles fonctionnels affectant le cou (ROM) sont plus susceptibles d’avoir des problèmes avec l’angle mort / ligne de visée gauche. Les résultats sont discutés comme ils se rapportent à des considerations du dessein des véhicules pour les personnes agées.

Keywords

vieillissmentdétection des angles mortsmodèles humains numériquesligne de viséeconducteurs âgéssimulationagingblind spot detectiondigital human modelsline-of-sightolder driverssimulation
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 35 , Special Issue S1: Older Driver Research: Evidence to Guide Change / Recherche sur la conduite automobile des personnes âgées : des preuves afin de guider le changement , June 2016 , pp. 110 - 116
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Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2016 

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