Medial Lateral Separation and Age Differences on Collision Avoidance Behaviours

Avoiding collisions with other pedestrians is a daily necessity for individuals across all age groups. Unfortunately, age-related declines in older adults’ motor and sensory systems can negatively impact their ability to safely navigate the environment. For instance, decrements in muscular strength, balance, and cognitive function can impair one’s ability to adapt locomotion to environmental constraints. These age-related declines in sensory-motor processing appear to be particularly prominent when navigating dynamic environments, where timely and accurate responses are critical to safe locomotion. The objective of the proposed study is to determine whether age-related changes to sensory-motor processing affects collision avoidance behaviours. It is believed that older adults’ avoidance behaviours (onset of avoidance and clearance at the time of crossing) will be more variable, suggesting a decrease in accurate sensory-motor processing. The proposed study will help identifying age-related differences in decision-making, contributing to the broader understanding of sensory-motor processing decline. Ultimately, by addressing the nuanced challenges faced by older adults in navigating real-world urban environments, this project aims to foster safer and more inclusive communities, while advancing our understanding of human behaviours across the lifespan.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michael Cinelli

Student:

Partner:

Liverpool John Moores University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Wilfrid Laurier University

Program: