Effects of Visual and Spatial Working Memory Improvement training Program on Elderly Driving Behavior Kim Boseong Department of Philosophical Counseling and Psychology, Dong-Eui University, 176 Eomgwangno, Busanjin_gu, South Korea Online published on 14 May, 2018. Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the changes of multifaceted driving behavior features of the elderly through visual and spatial memory ability improvement training. A training program to improve visual and spatial memory ability of the elderly was conducted five times. Three groups-trained elderly group, non-trained elderly group, and adult group (i.e. comparison group)-were selected to comparethe effect of the training. To measure multifaceted driving behaviors, three indicators were used: driving performance indicator, eye movement indicator, and physiological response indicator. Using the driving simulator, the parameters of the driving performance indicator were collected: approach velocity, transit time, the speed variation at the intersection, and the handling variation. The parameters of the eye movement indicator were collected using the eye maker: the ratio of visual scanning time: forward, left, and right visual fields. The parameters of physiological response indicator-the heart rate of electrocardiogram and the skin conductance level of skin electrical activity at the intersection-were collected and examined. As for the driving performance indicator, the result showed that the general adult drivers, the comparison group, pass through the intersection more rapidly than the elderly, who enter the intersections quickly and smoothly, and the changes by the training programs were not significant. As for the eye movement indicator, the elderly drivers participating in the training program showed a similar pattern to that of the general adult drivers, who were in the comparison group, in terms of the ratio of visual scanning time: forward, left, and right visual fields. As for the physiological response indicator, the overall arousal level of the elderly participating in the training program was significantly lower than that before the training program, and relatively lower than the elderly who did not participate in the training program. The implication of this study is to clarify the positive changes of the multifaceted driving behaviors by providing training for the elderly to improve their visual and spatial working memory ability. Top Keywords Elderly drivers, visual and spatial working memory ability, driving behavior, eye movement, physiological response. Top |