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

US Transportation Collection2008PDFResearch PaperAmerican Trade Initiatives, Inc.United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway AdministrationAmerican Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. National Cooperative Highway Research ProgramAmerican Trade Initiatives, Inc.AustraliaJapanAgedAged driversHighway safetyMobilitySafety programsStudy toursTraffic engineeringTransportation planningTransportation policyInternational Technology Scanning ProgramTransportation infrastructureIn March 2008, a team of nine transportation safety, traffic engineering, and human factors experts from the United States (U.S.) visited Australia and Japan to assess and evaluate infrastructure improvements designed to aid older road users. The scan tour members sought policy options and initiatives regarding transportation system planning, operations, and design as they relate to older road users. The group met with state and federal government transportation officials, University research centers, and staff from motorists' clubs and other non-governmental organizations interested in the mobility of older people. While the focus of the scan was on infrastructure improvements, the team also learned about new policies for older road user training, assessment, and licensing. In addition, general road safety programs were discussed with all agencies visited. The majority of these programs provided a benefit to older road users although they may not have been designed specifically with this user-group in mind. The converse of this is true as well; programs and policies developed for older road user safety and mobility will improve transportation for all users. The information obtained during the trip identified several planning, design, and operational changes which could be implemented in the U.S. to improve the mobility and safety of older road users.133