UTRC Press Release
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Contact: Nadia Aslam
Assistant Director for Technology Transfer
University Transportation Research Center - Region 2
Tel: 212-650-8051
Email: nadia@utrc2.org
The University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) Publishes the Final Report: "A Simulation-based Assessment Approach to Increase Safety among Senior Drivers"
UTRC has released a final report for the research titled: "A Simulation-based Assessment Approach to Increase Safety among Senior Drivers", funded by the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA/USDOT). The principal investigator was Kevin Hulme, a senior research associate at the New York State Center for Engineering Design and Industrial Innovation (NYSCEDII) at the University at Buffalo/SUNY.
Statistics show that in the U.S., there are about 38 million licensed drivers over age 65; about 1/8 of our population. By 2024, this figure will DOUBLE to 25%. The current research is intended to address the driving capabilities of our older population, as accident and injury risk has been statistically shown to increase - normalized per mile driven - with advanced age. Our primary objective is to perform a preliminary Pilot Study (N=10) that allows our team to analyze the impact of supplementing traditional driver evaluation for senior persons with cognitive impairment using state-of-the-art driving simulation technologies.
The full report is available for a free download at the UTRC website: http://www.utrc2.org/publications/safety-among-senior-drivers-final
About the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC)
The University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) is a USDOT Regional Transportation Center addressing surface transportation operations, management, design economics and planning. The Region 2 University Transportation Research Center is one of ten original National Centers, established in 1987, in recognition that transportation plays a key role in the nation’s economy and in the quality of people’s lives. Located at the City University of New York, the Center is a Consortium of 17 major Academic Institutions in New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico. Through the Grant supporting the Center, the mission incorporates research, education and the transfer of technology in the field of transportation. Academically based, the work of Faculty and Students – graduate and undergraduate provide a critical link in resolving our national and regional transportation problems while training the future and current professionals who address our transportation system and their customers on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.utrc2.org.