To date, accessibility and ergonomics have only been considered to a rather limited extent during the development of intelligent transportation systems. This is due to the technology push that has characterized ITS development. This paper shows that elderly drivers will form a significant market for ITS (Intelligent Transport System). Many of the aspects of driving that become more difficult as drivers age can be made easier and safer by the use of ITS. The paper reports on evaluations of ITS by elderly drivers and emphasizes that human factors must be an integral part of the design and development of ITS equipment. European DRIVE II projects have evaluated 14 ITS systems and produced quite detailed ergonomic guidelines for equipment to be used by elderly and disabled drivers. The paper proposes the international co-operative development of ergonomic guidelines to ensure that ITS devices are safe and easy to use for elderly and disabled drivers. This should help ITS achieve its potential to improve personal mobility and the convenienced comfort of the surface transport system for the whole population. (A)
Samenvatting