The Intelligent Transport team at Newcastle University have turned anelectric car into a mobile laboratory named ＂DriveLAB＂ in order tounderstand the challenges faced by older drivers and to discover where the keystress points are.
Research shows that giving up driving is one of the key reasons for afall in health and well-being among older people, leading to them becoming moreisolated(隔绝) and inactive.
Led by Professor Phil Blythe, the Newcastle team are developingin-vehicle technologies for older drivers which they hope could help them tocontinue driving into later life.
These include custom-made navigation(导航) tools, night vision systems and intelligent speedadaptations. Phil Blythe explains: ＂For many older people,particularly those living alone or in the country, driving is important forpreserving their independence, giving them the freedom to get out and aboutwithout having to rely on others.＂
＂But we all have to accept that as we get older our reactionsslow down and this often results in people avoiding any potentially challengingdriving conditions and losing confidence in their driving skills. The result isthat people stop driving before they really need to.＂
Dr Amy Guo, the leading researcher on the older driver study, explains: ＂The DriveLAB ishelping us to understand what the key points and difficulties are for olderdrivers and how we might use technology to address these problems.
＂For example, most of uswould expect older drivers always go slower than everyone else butsurprisingly, we found that in 30mph zones they struggled to keep at a constantspeed and so were more likely to break the speed limit and be at risk ofgetting fined. We’re looking at the benefits of systems which control theirspeed as a way of preventing that.
＂We hope that our work will help with technological solutions(解决方案) to ensure that olderdrivers stay safer behind the wheel.＂
（32） What isthe purpose of the DriveLAB?A. To explore new means of transport.B. To designnew types of cars.C. To find out older driver’s problems.D. To teach peopletraffic rules.
（33） Why isdriving important for older people according to Phil Blythe?A. It keeps themindependent.B. It helps them save time.C. It builds up their strength.D. Itcures their mental illnesses.
（34）What doresearchers hope to do for older drivers?A. Improve their driving skills.B. Developdriver-assist technologies.C. Provide tips on repairing their cars.D. Organizeregular physical checkups.
（35） What isthe best title for the text?A. A new Model Electric CarB. A Solution to TrafficProblemsC. Driving Services for EldersD. Keeping Older Drivers on the Road