The Institute for Mobility, Activity, and Participation (I-MAP), within the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions, is collaborating with the American Automobile Association (AAA) to revise and compile a new version of Smart Features for Older Drivers (SFOD), a downloadable booklet that helps older drivers select cars with features that will assist them in driving and being safe. SFOD will be updated to better inform older drivers of the potential benefits for current advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and in-vehicle information systems (IVIS). With increasing technologies, these systems have become readily available in many standard vehicles. Smart Features for Older Drivers outlines features that may assist older drivers with safety and comfort, and categorizes these features for each vehicle model by cognitive, visual, and motor needs. Individuals will be able to use this resource to make informed choices when purchasing, renting, or leasing a vehicle.

As part of this collaboration, the I-MAP team is conducting a scoping review to identify if the literature suggests that ADAS and/or IVIS have an impact on the task of driving – i.e., convenience, comfort, safety – for drivers 65 years of age and older. Findings from this project will be disseminated through national professional and stakeholder networks.

To learn more about the projects the I-MAP team is involved in, see their most recent publications:

Medhizadah, S., Classen, S., and Johnson, A. (2018). “Constructing the 32-Item Fitness-to-Drive Screening Measure.” OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, published online Nov. 10, 2017. 7 pp. DOI: 10.1177/1539449217741136.

Alvarez, L., and Classen, S. (2018). “Clinical Predictors of On-Road Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease.” The Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy. In press.

Classen, S., Alvarez, L., Bundy, A., Dickerson, A., Gélinas, I., Matsubara , A., et al. (2018). WFOT Position Statement: Driving and Community Mobility. London, UK: World Federation of Occupational Therapy. In press.

Morrow, A. A., Classen, S., Monahan, M., Danter, T., Taylor, R., Krasniuk, S., et al. (2017). “On-Road Assessment of Fitness to Drive in Persons with MS with Cognitive Impairment: A Prospective Study.” Journal of Multiple Sclerosis, published online Aug. 1, 2017. 8 pp. DOI: 10.1177/1352458517723991.

Campos, J. L., Bédard, M., Classen, S., Delparte, J. J., Hebert, D. A., Hyde, N., et al. (2017). “Guiding Framework for Driver Assessment Using Driving Simulators.” Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 8, article 1428. 4 pp. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01428.

Dickerson, A. E., Molnar, L. J., Bédard, M., Eby, D. W., Classen, S., and Polgar, J. (2017). “Transportation and Aging: An Updated Research Agenda for Advancing Safe Mobility.” The Journal of Applied Gerontology. Published online Oct. 1, 2017. 19 pp. In press. DOI: 10.1177/0733464817739154.

Chee, J.N., Rapoport, M.J., Molnar, F., Herrmann, N., O’Neill, D., Marottoli, R., et al. (2017). “Update on the Risk of Motor Vehicle Collision or Driving Impairment with Dementia: A Collaborative International Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25(12):1376-1390. DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2017.05.007.

Classen, S., Krasniuk, S., Morrow, S., Alvarez, L., Monahan, M., Danter, T., et al. (2018). “Visual correlates of fitness to drive in adults with multiple sclerosis.” OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 38(1):15-27. DOI: 10.1177/1539449217718841

Knott, M., Blackburn, B., Hamilton, H., Marshall, B., Mazgola, N., McAleese, A., et al. (2017). “Book Review: Driving simulation for assessment, intervention, and training: A guide for occupational therapy and health care professionals.” OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 37(2):109-110.

Alvarez, L., and Classen, S. (2017). “In-vehicle technology and driving simulation.” In: S. Classen (Ed.), Driving Simulation for Assessment, Intervention, and Training: A Guide for Occupational Therapy and Health Care Professionals. Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press. Pp. 265-278.