Affiliations: [a] Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA | [b] Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Sandra Winter, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, PO BOX 100164, Gainesville, FL 32610-0164, USA. E-mail: smwinter@phhp.ufl.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Automated in-vehicle technologies, specifically in-vehicle information systems (IVIS) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), are increasingly common in today’s cars. Previous studies illustrate benefits of using IVIS and ADAS to improve safety, convenience, and comfort in healthy older drivers. However, research is sparse on the feasibility of such technologies for medically at-risk drivers, such as those with Parkinson’s disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: This study enrolled healthy volunteer drivers to examine the feasibility of the procedures and measures for evaluating the effects of IVIS and ADAS on their driving performance. METHODS: During this feasibility study researchers compared drives completed with and without support of IVIS and ADAS, as participants drove a 2019 Toyota Camry XLE. The test vehicle was equipped with IVIS, ADAS, cameras, a telematics system, and sensors. Participants drove the road course supervised by a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (DRS). RESULTS: Overall study procedures and vehicle equipment were feasible and provided sufficient data collection for measuring the impact of IVIS and ADAS on driving performance. Data observation by the DRS combined with data captured from cameras and telematics, facilitated comparisons to increase data reliability and validity. CONCLUSIONS: Feasibility study findings informed a randomized clinical trial, examining the use of IVIS and ADAS technologies as an intervention to support drivers with Parkinson’s disease.
