MUARC's Older Driver Study Travels to John Collins Holden, Mornington, Australia

2008-04-08 -- The recently launched Older Driver Study by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) today moved to John Collins Holden in the Mornington Peninsula.

The Older Driver Study, funded by GM Holden, Auto Cooperative Research Centre (AutoCRC) and Monash University, uses one of the world’s most advanced portable driving simulators, the EF-X simulator, which is the first of its kind in Australia.

The important study focuses on the driving behaviour of people aged 65 or older – a demographic whose numbers are set to more than double on Australian roads over the next 30 years.

The study is led by MUARC senior research fellow, Dr Judith Charlton, who said there is a need to start focusing on this expanding demographic.

“Understanding the behaviour of older drivers is crucial for determining how factors such as road and car designs, training programs, in-car technologies and government policies could make Australian roads as safe as possible for all road users,” Dr Charlton said.

The key to the study is MUARC’s new advanced EF-X simulator that puts drivers through an eight-minute simulated drive to test their skills in a range of situations known to challenge some older drivers, including merging, major intersections, right turns and avoiding sudden obstacles.

Younger and older licensed drivers are urged to take part in the study so the performance of different age groups can be compared.

Professor Brian Fildes, MUARC Chair of Road Safety, said state-of-the-art 3D visuals created an exceptionally detailed driving simulation which replicated the full range of driving conditions including night, rain, fog and bright sunlight.

“The EF-X strengthens our researchers’ ability to go into the community and collect large amounts of detailed, reliable data on the behaviour of Australian drivers. Its arrival represents an important new era in safety research,” Professor Fildes said.

Richard Marshall, GM Holden's Director of Innovation, said he was excited to be working with MUARC on such a valuable study.

“ Australia has an ageing population and it's essential to invest in understanding how older drivers perceive and respond to potential hazards,” Mr Marshall said.

“There's no doubt our focus at GM Holden has expanded to develop measures to assist with accident avoidance as well as to help improve passenger safety if an accident occurs.

“With powerful research tools such as this EF-X simulator, we're confident this will assist us to develop potentially life-saving technologies, features and vehicle design solutions. This project reinforces GM Holden's and MUARC's commitment to real world safety.”

The EF-X simulator will be stationed at John Collins Holden, Mornington Peninsula and Barloworld Holden, Glen Waverley throughout 2008.

Source: GM Holden

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