An evaluation of airport wayfinding and signage on senior driver behaviour and safety of airport road access design

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of different wayfinding provision on senior driving behaviour and road safety. A car driving simulator was used to model scenarios of differing wayfinding complexity and road design. Three scenario types were designed consisting of 3.8 miles of airport road. Wayfinding complexity varied due to differing levels of road-side furniture. Experienced car drivers were asked to drive simulated routes. Forty drivers in the age ranges: 50 to 54, 55 to 59 and those aged over 60 were selected to perform the study.

Participants drove for approximately 20 minutes to complete the simulated driving. The driver performance was compared between age groups. Results were analysed by Mean, Standard Deviation and ANOVA Test, and discussed with reference to the use of the driving simulator. The ANOVA confirmed that age group has a correlation between road design complexity, driving behaviour and driving errors.