摘要: |
The purpose of the annual M-CASTL synthesis report is to identify short and long-term research needs that support M-CASTLs theme and reflect the United States (US) Department of Transportations (DOTs) and other National organizations transportation research agendas. The intent of the report is to synthesize current relevant knowledge to help focus the Centers research program and to maintain continuity over each year of the grant. The synthesis report also serves as the background for the annual M-CASTL Transportation Research and Education Conference. The report begins with a review of empirical findings indicating that older adults are at higher risk of a fatal crash and tend to suffer many negative consequences when driving privileges are taken away. Issues of aging and mobility are conceptualized as having three complementary and interdependent goals: (1) to understand and better manage the effects of medical conditions and medications on skills needed for safe driving; (2) to help those who are able to drive safely continue to do so; and (3) to identify and provide community mobility support to those who are no longer able or choose not to drive. The report reviews background and recent research in several areas related to the three goals: medical conditions; screening and assessment; law enforcement; rehabilitation; technology; roadway design; caregiver economics; and community mobility. The research reviewed was gathered from a search of articles published in 2009 through February, 2010 in several peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. The report builds upon three recent reviews of the aging and mobility literature (Eby, Molnar, & St. Louis, 2008; Eby, Molnar, & Kartje, 2009; Eby, Molnar, & Vivoda, 2009) and serves as a companion to those reports. |