The deployment of autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies may hold important health and safety benefits for drivers across the driving lifespan. However, such benefits can materialize only if transportation users are willing to embrace the emerging technologies. Earlier studies document a wide variance in acceptance practices, based solely on surveys of drivers. This research used a combined approach of surveys and lived experiences of drivers engaging with AV technologies to examine technology acceptance and adoption of AV technologies. The webinar summarizes findings from the analysis of younger and middle-aged drivers’ perceptions of AVs before and after a) “driving” an interactive high-fidelity RTI driving simulator, in Level 4 autonomous mode, and b) riding in an autonomous shuttle (AS). Moreover, it discusses predictive models of facilitators and barriers for AV acceptance built from data collected from younger and middle-aged drivers (N=106) and older drivers (N=104). The findings reveal important foundational information about driver acceptance, their intention to use AVs, barriers to AV technology, and well-being related to AV technology across the driving lifespan.

The grant has the goal to determine older adults’ perceptions before and after exposure to autonomous ride sharing services. The information is critical for informing education, practice, and policy initiatives pertaining to facilitators and challenges for autonomous ride sharing services.

The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) Board has appointed Dr. Sherrilene Classen as Chair of the ADED Research Committee, effective April 1, 2022 – December 31, 2024.

Sherrilene Classen, Professor and Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy, finds it a privilege to provide you with some highlights of our great department. We have seen significant growth since 2017 as we have almost tripled the size of the department.

Findings from Autonomous Shuttle Demonstrations and Challenges Ahead - In this webinar the speakers present findings from three research projects to better understand the interactions of road users with automated shuttles (AS).

Sherrilene Classen, PhD, MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA, FGSA, has completed her 6-year term as Editor-in-Chief of OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, the official scientific publication of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. The journal experienced significant success over the past six years. OTJR received a record number of submissions in 2020-2021.

Older adults will tell you that losing their driving license is like getting a death sentence. In her unstoppable journey to empower seniors, Dr. Sherrilene Classen, a professor and chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy in the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions, is getting older adults comfortable with autonomous vehicle technology as well as conducting research to develop autonomous transit resources to promote their independence and safety.

In this course, the author provides an overview of the current crash statistics in the USA, an introduction to autonomous vehicles (AV), including the levels of AV, how driving as an occupation may be affected/changed by AV, the pros and the cons of AV, a timeline for AV, as well as a discussion on the vulnerable road users and how they may benefit from AV. The presentation highlights that we are facing the greatest transportation revolution of the century and invite health care professionals to consider the opportunities of AV technology for mobility-disadvantaged people.

In this course, the author provides an overview of older adults’ transportation needs, the potential benefit of autonomous vehicle technology (AVT) to their health and safety, and results from a study conducted to determine older adults’ perception before and after being exposed to AVT (i.e. a driving simulator driving in autonomous mode and an automated shuttle). The presentation highlights implications for practice, policy and research.

The Occupational Therapy department is taking action to start addressing a culture change that is both necessary and critical so that each one of our black students and each one of our black colleagues feel that they matter- that means to feel valued and to feel that they can contribute to the value of the department, the college, and the profession.