A Follow-Up to an Age-Friendly Protocol to Support Investigations of Autonomous Driving Disengagement on Driver Safety: Results and Recommendations

Driving cessation in old age is linked to negative mental and physical health outcomes. Autonomous vehicles offer an opportunity to maintain independence and mobility for older adults. However, vehicle automation can compromise driver engagement, posing risks to drivers and the public. The concern is particularly significant for older and novice drivers who are already overrepresented in accident statistics. Driving simulators provide a safe environment to evaluate performance and assess driver skills and engagement. This study employed a specialized protocol to accommodate older drivers and minimize the adverse effects of simulated driving. The complete number of participants included older (n = 13) and novice drivers (n = 9), who underwent manual and semi-autonomous driving simulations. Results included positive impacts of the simulator modifications with only two dropouts (both from the older group) resulting in a total dropout rate of 9% (15% of older drivers). Driver engagement varied between driving conditions, with superior performance in responding to surprise events during manual driving condition.