Cognitive Ageing and Hazard Perception

The Cognitive Ageing and Hazard Perception study is led by Associate Professor Kaarin Anstey at the Australian National University in collaboration with Dr Mark Horswill and Associate Professor Nancy Pachana from the University of Queensland, Professor Joanne Wood from Queensland University of Technology and Dr Nick Barnes from National ICT Australia.

This study aims to characterise the effects of cognitive ageing and visual changes on hazard perception to inform the development of interventions to improve hazard perception and road safety in older Australians. These include developing the ACT hazard perception test specifically designed for older drivers (UQ) and pilot work adapting Smart Car technology to improve safety for older drivers (NICTA).

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT

Research Assistant Amy Dawel is working through the ACT Hazard Perception Test.

Research work to date

In February 2007, the ARU ran focus groups to determine the areas in Canberra and driving situations that older drivers find hazardous or difficult. Their comments helped direct the filming effort of traffic hazards in the ACT. This video footage was sent to UQ where Dr Horswill and his colleagues catalogued and rated the severity of the traffic hazards. A broad range of these hazards were selected and compiled to create the ACT hazard perception test.

Pilot work by UQ in comparing performance in the new ACT hazard perception test against the performance in Queensland and UK versions suggests that the new test is measuring driving ability.

Since July 2007, the ARU has been inviting drivers aged 65 years and older to take in a three-hour session at the Centre for Mental Health Research.  They complete the ACT hazard perception test, tests of vision, and tests measuring a broad range of mental abilities such as working memory, visual attention, spatial reasoning, and executive function. The ARU will be running these sessions until the end of May 2008 to reach the target sample of 300 study volunteers.

Funding

This research was supported under Australian Research Council's Linkage Projects funding scheme (project number LP0668078) and the NRMA ACT Road Safety Trust.

Related PhD project

The Relationship between Visual Attention and Safe Driving in Older Adults

ARU staff working on Cognitive Ageing and Hazard Perception

• Associate Professor Kaarin Anstey
• Ms Ada Tam (Research Assistant)
• Ms Amy Dawel (Research Assistant)
• Mr Chris Hatherly (PhD candidate)

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