Automated Vehicles for People With Dementia: A “Tremendous Potential” That “Has Ways to go”―Reports of a Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives The prospect of automated vehicles (AV) has generated excitement among the public and the research community about their potential to sustain the safe driving of people with dementia. However, no study to date has assessed the views of people with dementia on whether AVs may address their driving challenges. Research Design and Methods This mixed-methods study included two phases, completed by nine people with dementia. Phase I included questionnaires and individual semi-structured interviews on attitudes towards using different types of AVs (i.e., partially or fully automated). Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to assess participants’ underlying reasons for and against AV use. The participants’ identified reasons against AV use informed the focus group discussions in Phase II, where participants were asked to reflect on potential means of overcoming their hesitancies regarding AV use. Results The results showed that people with dementia may place higher levels of trust in fully automated compared to partially automated AVs. In addition, while people with dementia expressed multiple incentives to use AVs (e.g., regaining personal freedom), they also had hesitations about AV use. These hesitancies were based on their perceptions about AVs (e.g., cost), their own abilities (i.e., potential challenges operating an AV), and driving conditions (i.e., risk of driving in adverse weather conditions). Discussion and Implications The findings of this study can help promote the research community’s appreciation and understanding of the significant potential of AVs for people with dementia while elucidating the potential barriers of AV use by people with dementia.

Oldest old’s travel mode choice and new mobility technology acceptance: case in America and China

“…Research has shown that older adults often experience a decline in travel frequency, an increase in travel time, and a decrease in travel distance with age (22). At the same time, the driving ability of older individuals is also affected by age, which further increases traffic risks (10).…”

“…This can manifest as difficulties in using traditional public transportation, cessation of driving (7,8), and encountering transportation challenges that may lead to social exclusion (9). At the same time, age affects driving ability, which can increase traffic risk (10). Crash statistics also indicate that older drivers are more vulnerable in crash situations and pose a risk to themselves and other traffic participants (11,12).…”