Application of micro-electronic technology to assist elderly and disabled travellers

The report presents an exploratory investigation into micro-electronic hardware and software technologies that can best be adapted for both personal usage and usage on-board road vehicles to assist elderly and disabled travellers. It identifies those system functions and features which have the potential to improve mobility, increase personal safety and security, and make travelling more predictable and enjoyable. The potential features are categorized into seven functional areas: travel advisory and navigation; specialized transportation advisory; vehicle monitoring,, safety and performance; vehicle control; driver monitoring and assist; primary driving controls; and secondary driving controls. The report further documents specific application packages ranging from simple accessible entrance locators, to enhanced night vision systems, and driver monitoring and advisory systems. It is recognized that a significant research, development and demonstration effort is required to accelerate the availability of these systems. Four priority project areas are recommended to form the core of research in the application of Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems/Road Transport Informatics technologies to assist elderly and disabled travellers. These cover human factors/ergonomics research advanced traveller information systems (ATIS/E&D), advanced vehicle control systems (AVCS/E&D), and research on traveller decision making. The implementation of these systems can be expected to significantly contribute to enabling persons with physical, cognitive, mental and other disabilities - as well as elderly people in general - to lead more productive and satisfying lives through increased mobility and self-sufficiency. It is essential, however, that E&D needs are recognized now, early in the development of the mobile information systems and in-vehicle devices - and not just as an afterthought, which would surely result in cumbersome, user- unfriendly retrofits. Indeed, there are sound economic and business reasons to recognize E&D requirements now, as it will significantly enhance the marketability of the devices to the users-at-large.

• Authors:
  • Parviainen, J A
  • Atkinson, W G
  • Young, M L
• Publication Date: 1991-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 38p + appendices
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: TP 10890E

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Advanced traveler information systems; Advanced traveler information systems; Advanced vehicle control systems; Advanced vehicle control systems; Aged; Computer programs; Computers; Electronics; Intelligent transportation systems; Navigation; Persons with disabilities
• ATRI Terms: Advanced traveler information systems (ATIS); Advanced vehicle control systems (AVCS); Aged person; Computer hardware; Computer program; Disabled person; Electronics; Intelligent transport systems (ITS); Navigation
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01406390
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 23 2012 11:26PM