OLDER DRIVER CRASH TREND EVALUATION RELATING TO SOCIETAL CHANGE AND INTELLIGENT TRANPORTATION SYSTEMS

摘要

With the foreseeable increase in older adult population and known risks associated with their roadway presence, appropriate action is required to meet societal changes. This research was conducted to assist agencies in strategizing for future plans, programs, and initiatives to better address the problem presented. This was accomplished by performing a detailed engineering analysis on crash data of older drivers over a 10-year period (2003-2012) from the state of New Jersey to identify crash patterns, trends, and characteristics. Findings allow for strategizing and proper implementation of technological advanced in-vehicle and other sensor systems. This approach is also in line with the recently published National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report Traffic Safety for Older People - 5-Year Plan that emphasized the effects of different age groups among older drivers (i.e., 60s, 70s, and 80s) on crash pattern. A major finding from this research was the increase in fatal crashes of older drivers as a function of age. Top-ranking collision types with other vehicles and non-vehicles were identified. Crashes as a function of seasonal change, climate, and lighting conditions were also examined.