Older Road Users: The International Technology Scanning Program: Summary Report

NHTSA · 2008 · ROSA P / American Trade Initiatives, Inc.

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Summary

This report summarizes findings from the International Technology Scanning Program, conducted in March 2008 by a nine-member U.S. delegation visiting Australia and Japan. The study addresses the growing safety and mobility challenges posed by the aging population, projecting that the number of Americans aged 65 and older will reach 50 million by 2020 and 80 million by 2050. Motivated by age-related declines in vision, cognition, and physical ability, the team sought infrastructure improvements, policy options, and operational strategies to support older road users (ORUs). The scan aimed to identify international best practices that could be adapted for U.S. transportation systems, focusing on engineering-based countermeasures rather than driver licensing or remedial training. The methodology involved site visits and meetings with government officials, university researchers, and non-governmental organizations in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Tokyo. The team evaluated infrastructure designs, safety policies, and partnership models. A central finding was the adoption of a "systems approach" to safety in both countries, which prioritizes reducing crash severity over merely reducing frequency. This approach acknowledges the frailty of older users, noting that pedestrians face higher injury risks than vehicle occupants. Consequently, agencies emphasized keeping older adults driving as long as safely possible to prevent them from becoming vulnerable pedestrians. Key strategies included lowering vehicle speeds through automated enforcement and reduced speed zones in high-traffic areas, thereby allowing more reaction time for older drivers and pedestrians. Infrastructure improvements highlighted included physical separation of modes and enhanced visibility. In Japan, the team observed sidewalk widening, barrier-separated bicycle facilities, and underground pedestrian tunnels to separate vulnerable users from motor vehicles. In Australia, interventions included raised crosswalks with curb extensions to shorten walking distances and improve visibility, as well as curbside fencing to channel pedestrians to actuated crossings. Engineering solutions such as protected-turn phases and longer perception-reaction times in design formulas were used to remove complex decision-making from older drivers. Additionally, both countries utilized colored pavement for positive guidance and lane assignment, with Australia developing durable materials that maintain friction. The report concludes that engineering solutions and cross-agency partnerships offer greater promise than education alone. Australia demonstrated effective collaborations between transportation agencies, health providers, motoring clubs, and even retirement planners to address mobility needs. The scan team recommended implementing these strategies in the U.S. by updating roadway design guidelines, fostering partnerships with non-governmental organizations, and developing targeted research programs. The findings suggest that infrastructure changes benefiting older road users, such as improved visibility and reduced speeds, enhance safety for all road users. The report emphasizes the need for flexible design criteria and planning for emerging trends, such as the use of mobility scooters and recreational vehicles by older adults.

Key finding

Infrastructure improvements such as raised crosswalks with curb extensions, underground pedestrian tunnels, and colored pavement, combined with speed reduction strategies and partnerships with health and motoring organizations, effectively enhance safety and mobility for older road users.

Methodology

field_study

Provenance

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Topics

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• older driver retraining
• older drivers