Integrating Vehicle Design and Human Factors: Minimizing Elderly Driving Constraints

by | Jul 20, 2015 |

Authors: Susan Shaheen, Debbie Niemeier Published: June 1, 2001 Abstract: With a projected rise in the number of elderly, most of whom have also relied primarily on the private automobile for their mobility, it is likely that future adaptations in vehicle design will be linked in some part to the physical infirmities often faced by the elderly. This paper offers a bridge between medical research on the physical impairments of the elderly and automobile design and driving safety. The authors describe recent findings on the driving-related physical and cognitive impairments faced by the elderly. They then propose two major types of vehicle design and infrastructure adaptations: 1) modifications for private vehicles and 2) intelligent technology and support services for private vehicles, which can help to minimize the driving-related effects of these impairments. For example, the authors present a range of modest vehicle design adaptations for components such as seats and doorways, handles, knobs, and steering wheels, and seat belts. The authors find that many of these improvements can be made to standard passenger vehicles with little additional design effort, and that the adaptations should also increase overall vehicle marketability. Finally, the authors argue that while most, if not all, of their proposed adaptations would be made to largely benefit the elderly, they would nevertheless support and improve driving across all age groups. View...

App-Based, On-Demand Ride Services: Comparing Taxi and Ridesourcing Trips and User Characteristics in San Francisco

by | Nov 6, 2014 |

Authors: Lisa Rayle, Susan Shaheen, Ph.D., Nelson Chan, Danielle Dai, and Robert Cervero Date: November 2014 Abstract: The rapid growth of on-demand ride services such as uberX and Lyft, or “ridesourcing,” has prompted debate among policy makers and stakeholders. At present, ridesourcing’s usage and impacts are not well understood. Key questions include: how ridesourcing and traditional taxis compare with respect to trip types, customers, and locations served; whether ridesourcing complements or competes with public transit; and potential impacts on vehicle kilometers traveled. We address these questions using an intercept survey. In spring 2014, 380 complete surveys were collected from three ridesourcing “hot spots” in San Francisco. Survey results are compared with matched-pair taxi trip data and results of a previous taxi user survey. We also compared travel times for ridesourcing and taxis with those for public transit.  The findings indicate ridesourcing serves a previously unmet demand for convenient, point-to-point urban travel. Although taxis and ridesourcing share similarities, the findings show differences in users and the user experience. Ridesourcing wait times are markedly shorter and more consistent than those of taxis, while ridesourcing users tend to be younger, own fewer vehicles and more frequently travel with companions. Ridesourcing, like taxis, appears to both substitute for and complement public transit; the majority of ridesourcing trips would have taken substantially longer if made by public transit. Impacts on overall vehicle travel are unclear. Future research should build on this exploratory study to further understand impacts of ridesourcing on labor, social equity, the environment, and public policy....