Research on the Critical Response Ability of Elderly Drivers under Risk Scenarios

As the physiological function of drivers would change with the increase of age, it is of great significance to study the difference of reaction ability between young and elderly people under risk conditions to improve driving safety. Based on the critical response ability of young and elderly drivers in risk situation, the risk scenarios of six road intersections were established, and two groups of drivers of different age were recruited for driving simulation experiment. From three aspects of driver’s risk perception, operational response, and physiological response, the index system was constructed to judge the driver critical response. Finally, the experimental data of relevant parameters were compared and analyzed, and the multilayer fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and maximum membership degree were used to evaluate the critical response of two groups of drivers in risk scenarios. The final evaluation results have revealed that the critical response of young drivers is good, while that of elderly drivers is poor. In order to improve driving safety and reduce traffic accidents, it is necessary to focus on targeted training of elderly response ability.