Research

The Department of Occupational Therapy’s Institute for Mobility, Activity, and Participation team is collaborating with the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering to assess younger and older drivers’ trust, attention, mental workload, and driving performance when using adaptive cruise control (ACC). Furthermore, younger and older drivers’ knowledge of ACC will be assessed before and after being exposed to this automated vehicle technology. Findings will inform researchers and vehicle manufacturers to develop educational material to train drivers to safely use ACC.

The Department of Occupational Therapy’s Institute for Mobility, Activity, and Participation team is collaborating with the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the City of Gainesville to better understand how younger and middle-aged drivers’ perceptions change after exposure to automated vehicle technology. Similar to the Phase I study, which assessed older adults’ perceptions of automated vehicles, participants will be exposed to the autonomous mode of driving simulator and an automated -shuttle operating in downtown Gainesville. Findings will inform policymakers, industry and rehabilitation scientists on perceptions of pre and exposure of this population.

The Department of Occupational Therapy’s Institute for Mobility, Activity, and Participation (I-MAP) team is working in collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the City of Gainesville to better understand the perception, values, beliefs and attitudes of drivers 65 years and older as it relates to emerging autonomous vehicle technology.