| TELE-ASSESS | This project is closed |
| Driver Assistance for the Disabled, Elderly and Able Bodied |
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Context The proportion of the driving population that is old and/or disabled is forecast to grow from 12% in 1980 to 22% by 2020. The industry which services the needs of the elderly and disabled population does not have assessment procedures to gauge the needs and limited abilities of their customers, and regularly deliver vehicles which the customer cannot drive. It is important that specialist research into the assessment of human performance is focused on a telematics programme to support the performance of driving tasks by this growing group of drivers. Aims The project aims to verify the concept of making available vehicles which are completely customised to the precise requirements of both standard and non-standard drivers. Method The project will research the cognitive, display and control needs of the potential driving population to create safe and effective telematics products. The project team will 1. identify existing, developing and potential physical assistive and telematics systems both internal and external to the vehicle and specify the most suitable 2. examine the cognitive, display and control needs of the potential driving population 3. develop and assessment methodology for drivers with special needs 4. specify the optimum vehicle solution for a driver in a form that is easily interpreted by engineers. Benefits Vehicle manufacturers will have design standards for telematic products for vehicles matched to drivers with restricted capabilities. The potential economic benefits are 1. up to a 10% reduction in the price of a customised vehicle by eliminating the existing trial and error approach to special fitments for the disabled 2. an increase in vehicle sales of up to 5% of total UK sales 3. new products for vehicle builders 4. up to 30% increase in profits for the adaptation companies Participants Sunderland University Nissan Motors UK Ikeda Hoover Ltd TRW Ltd Transport Products Ltd Sunderland City Hospitals MAVIS Wrightington Mobility Centre Warwick University Loughborough University Southampton University |
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