A Study of the Leg-Movement Characteristics of Young and Elderly People During Emergency Braking in Different Sitting Postures

Abstract

The number of traffic accidents and the number of fatalities are on a downward trend. On the other hand, the number of traffic accidents involving the elderly is on the increase. One of the reasons for this is the decline in driving ability due to aging. In this study, we focused the characteristics of the decline in driving ability such as the inability to brake sufficiently in an emergency. Specifically, by comparing two sitting postures (user-selected and instructed), we analyzed the characteristics of the accelerator pedal-to-brake pedal movement and the braking force of the elderly. In addition, the characteristics of aging were also analysed by comparing the results with those of younger subjects. The results showed that the step-over time was faster in the instructed posture for both the young and the elderly. The maximum braking force was stronger in the instructed posture for both the young and the elderly. There was no difference in braking force between the young and the elderly.