Older Drivers
The Office of Safety is committed to providing a safe environment for older drivers and pedestrians. Practitioners need to consider differences in vision, fitness and flexibility, attention span, and reaction time when designing for older drivers and walkers. The Office of Safety's Older Driver program activities address the engineering aspects of older driver safety.
ENGINEERING GUIDANCE AND TRAINING
A Guide for Reducing Collisions Involving Older Drivers
Published in 2004 as part of NCHRP Report 500: Guidance for Implementation of the AASHTO Strategic Highway Safety Plan, this guide outlines a variety of strategies that can assist State and local transportation agencies with addressing older drivers' special needs while improving safety for all road users.
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Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians
This 2001 handbook was written for highway designers, engineers, and highway safety specialists. The handbook provides guidance on how to design operational and traffic engineering enhancements of specific roadway features to accommodate the declining functional capabilities of the older road users. FHWA Pub. No. RD-01-103.
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Guidelines and Recommendations to Accommodate Older Drivers and Pedestrians
A companion to the Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians, this Guidelines and Recommendations document incorporates new research findings and technical developments; and extensive practitioner input. Guidance on how and when to implement the included recommendations is included, as well as codes that indicate at a glance the relationship of each recommendation with standard design manuals, including the Manual on Uniform Traffoc Control Devices (MUTCD) and the AASHTO Green Book. FHWA Pub. No. RD-01-051.
Pocket Guide to Improve Traffic Control and Mobility for our Older Population
This Pocket Guide assists transportation professionals in making decisions about the use of traffic control devices, taking into account the unique needs of the Nation's older road users.
Older Driver Design Workshop
The FHWA offers a 1-day training workshop to thoroughly review the recommendations and guidelines contained in the Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians. Interactive methods are used to help participants fully understand the changes that occur with aging. Modifications to the roadway system are identified that can make it easier for older drivers and all drivers. Case studies are used during the workshop. The workshop is designed primarily practicing highway and traffic engineers responsible for highway design and operations. For additional information, contact Gene Amparano, or contact the Federal Highway Division Office in your State.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR PROMOTING OLDER DRIVER SAFETY
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)'s Older Driver program focuses on public education and traffic law enforcement issues. Their Web site includes a series of handbooks for older drivers with specific medical conditions and other useful public information.
