Speed-of-Processing and Driving Simulator Training Result in Improved Driving Performance

Abstract

Useful field of view, a measure of processing speed and spatial attention, can be improved with training. We evaluated the effects of this improvement on older adults' driving performance. Elderly adults participated in a speed-of-processing training program (N = 48), a traditional driver training program performed in a driving simulator (N = 22), or a low-risk reference group (N = 25). Before training, immediately after training or an equivalent time delay, and after an 18-month delay each participant was evaluated in a driving simulator and completed a 14-mile (22.5-km) open-road driving evaluation. Speed-of-processing training, but not simulator training, improved a specific measure of useful field of view (UFOV), transferred to some simulator measures, and resulted in fewer dangerous maneuvers during the driving evaluation. The simulator-trained group improved on two driving performance measures: turning into the correct lane and proper signal use. Similar effects were not observed in the speed-of-processing training or low-risk reference groups. The persistence of these effects over an 18-month test interval was also evaluated. Actual or potential applications of this research include driver assessment and/or training programs and cognitive intervention programs for older adults.

Effectiveness of two cognitive training programs on the performance of older drivers with a cognitive self-assessment bias

“…However, this significant interaction reflected a Bregression to the mean^and appeared to be due to a significant difference between the CT and CT + DS groups at baseline. Nevertheless, this result went against literature findings indicating gains in visual checking strategies, lane changing and indicator use after driving simulator training [40,42]. Contrary to our hypothesis, the driving simulator experience did not allow the transfer of training benefits to the road: participants who drove on the simulator did not perform better on the road than those who only completed the cognitive training program.…”

“…Moreover, the non-significant Group x Time interaction effect suggests that visual attention performances of the participants from both groups improved similarly with training. Hence, the driving simulator experience, as designed in this study, may not allow additional attentional benefits, as previously demonstrated by Roenker and colleagues [42]. Performances in the UFOV® test are associated with crash risk and also road (26) 60 (18) 48 (12) 58 (18) Sub-scores Visual attention 19 (4) 25 (5) 20 (4) 25 (6) Interaction with other road users 6 (4) 7 (4) 5 (3) 7 (4) Planning 13 (7) 14 (6) 11 (5) 11 ( CT cognitive training, CT + DS cognitive training + driving simulator experience.…”

“…Various interventions have been developed to help older drivers to self-regulate their driving behavior and thus maintain safe driving, such as self-assessment questionnaires and self-screening tools [26][27][28][29][30][31], educational interventions associated or not with practical driving training [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41], and cognitive training programs [42][43][44][45][46][47][48]. Self-assessment questionnaires of cognitive, physical and sensory driving-related abilities and self-screening tools of driving-related difficulties have helped older drivers to i) become aware of age-related changes that could affect their driving, ii) initiate discussion with family on driving cessation, and iii) self-regulate their driving behavior [26][27][28][29][30][31].…”

“…Even though cognitive training focused on speed of processing and visual attention improves these cognitive abilities relevant to driving safety [42,43,45,48], contradictory results have been reported regarding the beneficial effects of cognitive training on simulated or on-road driving performance [42-44, 46, 47]. One study showed a reduction in dangerous maneuvers on the road [42] and another showed improved braking reaction time on a driving simulator [46]. However, other studies showed no improvement of driving performances after cognitive training [43,44,47].…”

Age and Attentional Capacity

“…More important, in that study, Ball et al showed that UFOV is the strongest index to discriminate between crash-involved versus crash-free drivers: Older drivers (aged 55-90) with a significant reduction in the UFOV were six times more likely to be involved in one or more accident. It has been suggested to use UFOV as a predictor of driving performance (Vance, et al, 2006;Roenker et al 2003). These results provide a new approach for treating the reduced visual-attentional capability of certain young adults as well as older adults by means of training.…”