Policy Research Agendas for Older Drivers : Technology-Driven Approaches to Driving Assessment and Safety

In 2025, South Korea became a super-aged society, with one in seven licensed drivers being an older adult. Older drivers have higher traffic accident rates and distinct accident patterns. While research on this topic has increased, existing studies lack an interdisciplinary approach that accounts for recent technological advancements. Accordingly, a multidisciplinary research team conducted a comprehensive review of previous studies and engaged in a series of discussions. This process led to the identification of important and urgently needed research agendas for future convergence research in South Korea. The key focus areas include tthe mandatory implementation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), he use of driving simulators to assess driving capabilities, and AI-driven analysis of naturalistic driving data. It highlights the need to explore how sociodemographic factors influence older drivers' perception and acceptance of ADAS and its impact on mobility and quality of life. With conditional licensing under discussion, evaluating the policy implications of ADAS mandates for older drivers is crucial. Regarding simulator, research should examine the correlation between simulator-based and real-world driving skills across age groups among older adults, as well as develop and evaluate training programs to enhance driving ability. Finally, AI-driven analysis of naturalistic driving data must address age-related biases and ensure that risk assessments are easily and intuitively understandable by older adults through the use of explainable AI. This article proposes a research agenda to advance age-friendly ADAS technologies and inform more refined licensing policies for the aging population.