Measurement of Elderly Drivers' Time-gap Acceptance When Approaching a Through Street

Abstract

This study focused on time-gap acceptance of elderly drivers when approaching a through street. We measured time-gap acceptance at intersections in straight-travel scenarios. Three types of vehicles, motorcycle, sedan, and truck were used as crossing vehicles at JARI proving ground. Results showed middle-aged drivers relatively accept larger gap than younger and elderly drivers do. We also evaluated elderly drivers' ability to estimate the speed of a crossing vehicle utilizing mechanical shutter device. Results indicated that some drivers whose speed estimation ability are low accept smaller gap and have unsafe tendency regardless of age.