OLDER DRIVER HIGHWAY DESIGN HANDBOOK

Abstract

This project included literature reviews and research syntheses, using meta-analytic techniques where appropriate, in the areas of age-related (diminished) functional capabilities, and human factors and highway safety. A User-Requirements Analysis to gauge the needs of highway design and engineering professionals for guidance in accommodating older drivers was also performed. Together, these efforts supported development of three research products: (1) an applications-oriented Older Driver Highway Design Handbook intended to supplement standard design manuals for practitioners; (2) an Older Driver Research Synthesis (FHWA-RD-97-094), oriented toward human factors professionals and researchers; and (3) a Human Factors and Highway Safety Synthesis (FHWA-RD-97-095) capturing major findings and trends in studies of driver use of (and difficulties with) a wide range of highway elements. Additional project activities included review of this product, the Older Driver Highway Design Handbook, by a panel of 22 state and local practitioners, who applied draft recommendations to real-world highway engineering problems and suggested needed changes to improve the accuracy, presentation, and accessibility of this information. A subsequent revision of this document was performed to incorporate practitioners' review comments. The handbook presents recommendations for four design elements: intersections (at-grade); interchanges (grade separation); roadway curvature and passing zones; and construction/work zones.