Near Peripheral Motion Contrast Threshold Predicts Older Drivers' Driving Simulator Performance
- Steven Henderson (Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Hull, Quebec, Canada)
- Sylvain Gagnon (University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
- Charles Collin (University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
- Ricardo Tabone (University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
- Arne Stinchcombe (University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
Abstract
The method of descending limits assessed motion contrast thresholds of 11 young participants (17–28), and 21 older drivers (63–86) for 0.4 cycle/degree drifting Gabor stimuli at 15 degrees eccentricity. Peripheral motion contrast thresholds (PMCT) of younger participants (M = –45.5 dB, SD = 1.66 dB) and older participants (M = –43.3 dB, SD = 3.79 dB) differed (t(29) = 2.295, p < .05 (all p-values one-tailed)). Older drivers performed UFOV® tests and a high-fidelity driving simulation. Between independent variables, significant correlations were PMCT with UFOV2 (r = .74, p < .001), PMCT with UFOV3 (r = .50, p < .01), PMCT with age (r =.73, p < .001), UFOV2 with age (r = .48, p < .05), and UFOV3 with age (r = .44, p < .05). Between vision and simulator measures, PMCT and UFOV2 significantly predicted rater’s simulator score (r = .66, p < .001; r = .58, p < .01 respectively), and simulator crashes ( r = .63, p < .001; r = .72, p < .001 respectively). Thus, PMCT and UFOV2 strongly predicted simulator performance. Partial correlations showed that: substantial association between PMCT and UFOV2 was not age–related; PMCT and UFOV2 tapped a common visual function; and PMCT assessed a component not captured by UFOV2. The descending limits procedure is as reliable and faster than forcedchoice. A practicable PMCT test that informs at-risk drivers about visual deficits may help them compensate effectively by learning voluntary scanning techniques and by otherwise modifying their driving techniques.
How to Cite:
Henderson, S. & Gagnon, S. & Collin, C. & Tabone, R. & Stinchcombe, A., (2009) “Near Peripheral Motion Contrast Threshold Predicts Older Drivers' Driving Simulator Performance”, Driving Assessment Conference 5(2009), 334-341. doi: https://doi.org/10.17077/drivingassessment.1340
Rights: Copyright © 2009 the author(s)
Downloads:
Download pdf
View
PDF