Evaluation of visual countermeasures’ effect on awareness of Wrong-way driving of elderly people including MCI patients by using CG animation

Abstract

Approximately 200 instances of Wrong-way driving occur in Japan every year. Countermeasures against Wrong-way driving such as arrow pavements are being implemented to prevent these. However, even after introduction of countermeasures, wrong-way driving still occur, and it is necessary to verify the effect of the countermeasures. More than 70% of wrong-way drivers are elderly individuals, including those who are suspected of declining cognitive function.
 In this paper, we examined the effect of visual countermeasures on patients with MCI by using a computer graphics movie and measuring the reaction time which is the time to identify wrong-way driving. As a result, in PA entry section, the arrow pavement had the same effect on patients with MCI compared with healthy elderly individuals. In IC exit section, the “stop” sign and the arrow pavement had small effect, and “stop” signboard increased the effect. However, in all cases, it was found that the problem remains in the easiness of judging Wrong-way driving.