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Latest News from Brunel University

Philanthropist's donation for winner of Human Centred Design Research Prize
17 May 2012 08:57

A £2,000 donation from Brunel University graduate and philanthropist Peter Ilori has been awarded to the winner of the University's annual Human Centred Design Research Prize.

The prize, which is open to all Brunel doctoral students researching in the field of Human Centred Design, was claimed by Christopher McGinley who is currently completing a PhD in Design at the University.

Mr McGinley's winning submission, titled "Supporting People-Centred Design Through Information and Empathy", investigates existing practices of designers within contemporary design studios and explores the ways in which they come to understand the people that they design for, and the role of 'human information' in informing product design.

As part of his research Mr McGinley developed a unique resource framework called 'Means of Human Information Representation, Retrieval, Organisations and Reflection' (MHIRROR) which was realised as a working online prototype. MHIRROR enables designers to represent the perspectives of six diverse groups - an athletic user, a visually impaired user, a pregnant user, an elderly user, a mobility challenged user, and a user with a busy lifestyle - in the design process. This has been applied in the development of two user-centred design artefacts by external design agencies - a novel pint glass redesign for the Home Office, and a commode redesign for the Department of Health.

Professor Joseph Giacomin, Director of the Human Centred Design Institute at Brunel University, said: "Christopher's entry was judged by the prize jury to be the submission of the highest professional quality and to have the greatest impact on the Human Centred Design profession. The core framework based on information and empathy, and the novel approaches adopted for enmeshing the framework within the design process, were considered to be an outstanding example of 21st century thinking. We were particularly impressed by the manner in which communication, empathy and human empowerment permeated the framework. We look forward to supporting Christopher in his endeavours to promote the application of his framework within the design community and beyond. We also thank all the other entrants to the Research Prize."

Professor Giacomin also thanked Peter Ilori, founder of Octagon Orthodontics, a national network of specialists in orthodontics, health and wellbeing, for his donation. "Peter is a champion of the idea that business success in the 21st century is achieved through design for people, rather than simply through technological evolution," he said. "This idea is shared by the University team at the Institute. It is thus our ethos, ethics and business model to support tomorrow's designers by providing the tools needed to enhance human wellbeing and empower people. We are grateful for Peter's support, and our PhD students can look to him as a great example of what can be achieved through Human Centred Design."

Details of the 2013 Human Centred Design Research Prize will be available this Autumn.

Notes to editors

To request an interview with Professor Joseph Giacomin please call Phil Smith on 01727 733888 or email phil@communicationsmanagement.co.uk.

'Zero defects manufacturing' targeted by Brunel University researchers
10 May 2012 05:28

Brunel University has been awarded £213,390 by the European Commission to pursue the holy grail of 'zero defects' in micro manufacturing.

Dr Atanas Ivanov and Professor Kai Cheng in the University's Advanced Manufacturing and Enterprise Engineering department are spearheading the three-year MIDEMMA project. The project aims to develop equipment, technologies and strategies to optimise micro-manufacturing processes and ultimately minimise defects.

Dr Ivanov explained: "Zero defects manufacturing is an objective to which modern industries have long aspired. Producing parts that do not meet design requirements leads to negative economic impacts, from wasted manufacturing resources to the need for more expensive equipment for manufacturing and quality control."

Dr Ivanov questioned previous efforts to develop strategies to minimise defects in manufacturing, such as the heavily-criticised Six Sigma. "Six Sigma is basically an offline method based on analysing the end result of the process and looking for an increase in the defect percentage, so this is not optimal for early detection and correction," he said. "It might be a good reference for traditional manufacturing processes, but is it applicable and will it bring the required effect in micro manufacturing processes?"

Brunel University has therefore teamed up with industrial and academic partners in the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands, with the aim of "giving a global solution for the zero defect approach" and increasing the competitiveness of micro-manufacturers. The partners are looking to deliver zero-defect approaches both in large scale and short-run production.

Dr Ivanov said: "We think our new technologies and equipment will reduce process variability in detecting and/or avoiding defects as soon as they appear. This will allow for the use of less expensive machines that can reduce their variability through adaptation monitoring. It also gives the potential to use a less skilled workforce, thanks to acquired process setting knowledge and development of smart decision-making tools."

The project team will develop zero defect technologies and strategies alongside industry partners in three sectors - microengineering, optical components, and the health sector. The results can then be rolled out to other industries.

Brunel has recently established a Collaborative Research Network in Innovative Manufacturing to provide industry with access to the University's extensive manufacturing capability and to create new opportunities for innovation in knowledge transfer, cross-disciplinary research and industrial collaboration. The Network is directed by Professor Cheng, an expert in precision and micro manufacturing, the design of precision machines, and global/sustainable manufacturing and systems.

Notes to Editors

To request an interview with Dr Atanas Ivanov please call Phil Smith on 01727 733888 or email phil@communicationsmanagement.co.uk.

Brunel athletes strike gold to open London 2012 Olympic Stadium
9 May 2012 09:58

Brunel's athletes helped open the London 2012 Olympic Stadium in style from 4-7 May, finishing second in the medal table and a creditable fourth overall at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Outdoor Athletics Championships.

The men's 4x100m relay team broke the BUCS Championship Record, as individual 100m bronze-medallist Andre Wright joined Joshua Abladey, Dannish Walker-Khan and Junior Ejehu to storm to victory in 40.28s.

Cold temperatures and driving rain could not take the spring out of Brunel's triple jumpers, who took gold and bronze in both the women's and men's competitions. BUCS Indoor Champion Shakira Whight and teammate Zara Asante jumped 12.84m and 12.39m respectively, while Kola Adedoyin's winning jump of 15.42m put him 13cm ahead of third-placed Michael Puplampu. Adedoyin emphasised the strength in depth of Brunel's team, commenting: “Michael is a great competitor and I knew that I would need to produce a big jump to get the better of him”.

Success in the horizontal jumps continued as Jermaine Olasan took bronze with a jump of 7.23m.

Another gold and bronze came in the women's 100m hurdles, as Stephanie Gaynor claimed her third BUCS gold in a time of 13.73s with Nicola Hill taking bronze in a personal best time of 14.05s. Gaynor picked up a second medal in the women's 4x100m relay along with teammates Elise Walker, Gemma Malster and Leah Moore, who took bronze in 47.48s.

Brunel's women's team finished in third place, with the men's team in fourth.

The annual BUCS championships was the highlight of this year’s Universities Week, and acted as the test event for the Olympic Stadium as part of the London Prepares series. A crowd of 46,000 watched the action on Saturday night, before a ceremony to mark the Stadium’s official opening.

Podium Award medals recognise Brunel’s Olympic contribution
3 May 2012 10:27

Brunel University has been awarded two bronze medals as part of a celebration of the contribution of UK universities to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Brunel was successful in two of the nine Podium Award categories, winning bronze for Innovative International Collaboration, for arranging pre‑Games training camps, as well as for Exceptional Research Contribution, for developing an Olympic-related research publication programme.

Brunel’s Head of 2012 Programmes Neil Young, who is co-ordinating training camps with the Korean Olympic Committee and Athletics Canada, was delighted to receive the British Council Award for Innovative International Collaboration. “Brunel has pulled together to set up the camps, and we are confident that our contribution to London 2012 will deliver benefits for the University,” he said. “The Awards show the importance of universities in delivering a successful Games.”

The RCUK Award for Exceptional Research Contribution recognises Brunel’s commitment to maximising participation in Olympic-related research, as organisers of the 2012 International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport (ICSEMIS). Convenor Professor Celia Brackenridge OBE explained: “We adopted ‘Inspiring a learning legacy’ as the Convention’s main theme. This led to a collaboration with publishers Taylor and Francis to develop a research publication programme.”

Dr Vassil Girginov, the programme’s Executive Academic Editor, added: “This is the first time that a coherent Olympic publication programme has been established. As well as journals and books we now have a dedicated online platform to promote critical scholarship.”

The Podium Awards formed part of May’s London 2012-themed Universities Week, the annual campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of the higher education sector to British society and the economy. 

Find out more

To find out more about Universities Week visit www.universitiesweek.org.uk or join the debate on Twitter via #UniWeek and #BUCSChamps.

Watch UK sports stars include Brunel University graduate Perri Shakes-Drayton discuss the importance of a university education: www.youtube.com/universitiesweek2012

Impact of Brunel University’s research on London 2012 highlighted in new report
2 May 2012 09:43

A revolutionary training product conceived and developed at Brunel University has been included in a new report showcasing the impact of universities on the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and on UK sport in general.

Released as part of Universities Week (30 April – 7 May), the report aims to increase public awareness of the wide and varied role of the UK’s universities, and describes some of the ways in which research has helped Team GB prepare for London 2012. Professor Alison McConnell’s research into breathing training and the resulting development of the POWERbreathe^® device, which is now widely used by elite athletes, is highlighted in the report.

As little as 10 years ago breathing training was not considered to be an essential part of athlete preparation, but recent advances in our understanding of respiratory limitation in exercise performance have reversed this view. The research conducted by Professor McConnell and her team at Brunel began with studies to record the physiological and performance effects of breathing training on athletes and patients, and understand the underlying mechanisms behind these effects. The resulting insights led to the development of new training products and protocols.

In 1994 Professor McConnell launched the first breathing training product for sports people, and since then POWERbreathe^® has created a new market in the sports sector for breathing training, underpinned by her research. POWERbreathe^® is a simple mechanical device that helps athletes to train and strengthen the diaphragm and thus improve their breathing. It has been used by Olympic and World Champions, including England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup winners (as well as their Australian rivals in the final), and is also increasingly employed in medical setting to treat patients with breathlessness.

Working with colleagues in the School of Engineering and Design, and with POWERbreathe^® International Ltd., a revolutionary new product has recently been developed through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. The POWERbreathe^® K-Series was launched in 2011, and is already in use in a multicentre international trial of inspiratory muscle training in patients with lung disease. Professor McConnell commented: “POWERbreathe’s^® latest product innovation has been a great team effort, and is a fine example of universities working collaboratively with industry to bring good ideas out of the lab and into people’s lives”.

Professor McConnell’s research exemplifies the report’s focus on how research taking place at universities across the UK is helping to benefit not only elite athletes but also UK society as a whole. Entitled Supporting a UK success story: the impact of university research and sport development, the report highlights research areas ranging from physical endurance to urban regeneration, and examines exploration and development in the areas of technology, health and wellbeing, design, sport development and participation.

Chief Executive of Universities UK Nicola Dandridge said:  “It is sometimes easy to forget when you watch an athlete or team compete just how much preparation has gone into their performance.  This isn’t simply a question of training schedules and practice. These days, cutting-edge university research is used to support every aspect of Olympic sports – from nutrition and health to equipment, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and of course performance.”

Find out more

Copies of the full report are available on request from universitiesweek@fourcommunications.com and for download from www.universitiesweek.org.uk

To find out more about Universities Week visit www.universitiesweek.org.uk or join the debate on Twitter via #UniWeek and #BUCSChamps.

Watch UK sports stars include Brunel University graduate Perri Shakes-Drayton discuss the importance of a university education: www.youtube.com/universitiesweek2012

Watch Alison McConnell discuss her teaching and research: http://youtu.be/qelK5NS6h5A

Notes to editors

For media enquires please contact Sarah Reardon or Susie Dullard on 020 3023 9934 /9035 or email universitiesweek@fourcommunications.com.

About Universities Week 2012

Universities Week is a partnership between Universities UK, the representative organisation for the UK’s universities, and BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport), the national governing body for higher education sport in the UK. It is supported by universities across the UK and a wide range of organisations including Podium, the National Union of Students, Research Councils UK, the Universities Marketing Forum, the Higher Education Funding Council for England and many more.

Social care should not be privatised, argues Brunel academic
23 April 2012 15:29

A new report based on interviews with social care service users  recommends that care for the elderly, vulnerable and disabled should be paid for out of taxation.

The report, commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and led by Professor Peter Beresford OBE of Brunel University, West London, is a consultation paper for the Government’s long-awaited White Paper entitled The Future of Social Care in England.

Professor Beresford said: “There is widespread agreement that the present system is unworkable. Our findings show a growing and worrying gulf between service users’ views of social care and the direction of Government policy and thinking.”

Key points outlined report include:

• the role for the private sector: service users reject the recommendations made last year by the Commission on Funding of Care and Support, chaired by Andrew Dilnot, which recommended that they should be liable for the costs of their care, means-tested with a cap of £100,000;

• a recommendation to fund social care out of general taxation on the same basis as the NHS;

• a recommendation for better training, support and supervision and improved terms and conditions of employment: while valuing the commitment of many care workers, service users generally feel that the service provided by social care workers is patchy and under pressure;
  

• a recognition that some service users feel anxiety, despair and insecurity and are even suicidal.

Professor Beresford commented: “These findings make disturbing reading. They are based on a relatively small scale study, so there is an urgent need for more research to investigate the issues we have highlighted.

"With rapidly growing numbers of old and disabled people, it is a real priority for the country to implement a workable and sustainable system of social care to complement the NHS.”

The Government’s White Paper on social care in England is due to be published shortly.

Notes to Editors

The report Caring For Our Future: What Service Users Say, by Peter Beresford and Eamon Andrews, is published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Peter Beresford can be contacted for comment:
Email peter.beresford@brunel.ac.uk

Brunel University Press Office:
Email press-office@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 274000

Brunel Institute for Ageing Studies announces collaboration with Age UK
17 April 2012 11:22

Brunel Institute for Ageing Studies (BIAS) and its Inclusive Design Team are working with Age UK in a £0.5 million project, funded by the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)*, to further understand the lifestyles and requirements of the over 50s market.

The latest findings from Age UK reveal overwhelming support for inclusively designed products and services, with 72%ⁱ of adults surveyed viewing products designed specifically for older people positively. Companies and organisations are increasingly interested in the over 50s market as life expectancy and the percentage of older people within the population increases, and the Brunel project therefore aims to encourage businesses to adopt inclusive design by establishing an Age UK Accreditation scheme.

To receive the Age UK Accreditation, businesses can apply to put specific products and services through a rigorous assessment process. Products and services submitted could range from food packaging to customer service and in-store experience, and are assessed by a panel of business and academic experts.

It is hoped that successful receipt of the Accreditation will enhance customer trust, widen the appeal of products or services to a range of audiences, and ensure that the design process takes into account and values the needs and lifestyles of as many consumers as possible. According to Age UK research, endorsement by a trusted body or organisation was preferred by almost two-thirds^_ii of adults polled.

Dr Gabriella Spinelli, Director for Business Strategy and Innovation at BIAS and Head of the Inclusive Design Team, commented: "Our research at Brunel into ageing and consumer behaviour in later life has helped shape the principles of the Age UK Accreditation scheme. The findings should incentivise businesses to make changes to their products and services in order to fulfill the aspirations and lifestyles of wider audiences with a diverse range of needs and abilities.”

Duncan Lewis, Group Marketing and Development Director at Age UK, added: "The over 50s currently represent a third of the population with nearly £300^vi billion of spending power this year, up from just over £250 billion only two years ago. There is clearly an opportunity for the UK's businesses to respond to older people's consumer needs.

"Through our Engage Business Network we are aiming to help companies identify the importance of designing  inclusive products and stay at the forefront of an increasingly competitive commercial landscape. We would encourage businesses across all sectors to consider inclusive designs in order to be accessible to as many people as possible, as well as helping to meet the needs of our ageing population."

Notes to Editors

For information or interviews with the Inclusive Design Team at Brunel University please contact Emma Cutting at emma@communcationsmanagement.co.uk.

For more information from Age UK please contact Karen Richards on 0203 0331428 or email karen.richards@ageuk.org.uk.

* The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is jointly funded by the Technology Strategy Board and the Economic and Social Research Council. Part of this KTP looks at the criteria by which a product or service is judged to be inclusively designed.

ⁱ 3,098 adults aged 18 and over took part in a UK-wide postal survey for Age UK between April and August 2011.

ⁱⁱ2,069 adults aged 16 and over in Great Britain were surveyed by TNS CAPI omnibus between 18 and 22 January 2012. Figures were weighted to be nationally representative of the British population aged 16 and above. 63% agree that they prefer to buy products and services where the design and delivery has been approved by a trusted body.

^vi Family Spending 2010,Office for National Statistics 2011.

About Engage Accreditation

Engage Accreditation is a unique way of recognising and rewarding the inclusivity of products and services, enhancing customer trust and extending marketing reach by taking into account the needs of the older consumer. In order to receive the Accreditation, the product or service will have to go through a rigorous selection process that ultimately seeks to ensure that the design of the product or service is inclusive and has factored in the requirements of as wide a range of consumers as possible, with particular emphasis on later life.

Businesses can apply for the Accreditation by becoming a member of the Engage Business Network and then by completing an Engage Accreditation application which will be assessed by business and academic experts and an Age UK steering committee. The whole assessment process will take approximately four months. Revenue raised through the Engage Business Network goes towards Age UK’s vital charitable work, helping to make later life better for all.

Find out more about the Accreditation scheme and The Engage Business Network at Age UK

About Brunel Institute for Ageing Studies

The Brunel Institute for Ageing Studies (BIAS) is a research centre and collaborative network bringing together staff from different schools in Brunel University for the purpose of conducting interdisciplinary research in gerontology.

BIAS was founded in the summer of 2007. Its fundamental goal is the advancement of knowledge in the field of ageing with the aim of improving the quality of life and health of older people.

About Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters; health and well being; home and care; work and training; and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on 1 April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group (“we”).  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity’s trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).  

New NHS London physiotherapy contract awarded to Brunel University
3 April 2012 08:30

Brunel University has been awarded a new contract with NHS London for the provision of physiotherapy education, following a competitive tender.

Brunel's School of Health Sciences and Social Care will receive funding for its full-time and part-time BSc Hons Physiotherapy courses, and the award will also enable the University to offer a new pre-registration MSc in Physiotherapy.

This means that Brunel has been awarded funding for 82 physiotherapy student places, which makes it one of the largest providers of physiotherapy education in the UK.

Following signing of the contract Brunel, will be working in partnership with NHS London over the next few months to plan for the future provision of NHS-funded physiotherapy degree programmes.

The announcement caps an "outstanding year" for Brunel's physiotherapy team, according to John Cossar, the University's Director of Physiotherapy. "This new contract is an indicator of how we have met the heightened quality standards set by NHS London for the training of physiotherapists," he said. "These standards measure how universities ensure that physiotherapists are equipped with the best skills, abilities and attitudes to provide excellent levels of care, and London education providers were invited to show how they would meet these levels as part of a competitive tender process. It's a tremendous feeling to have come out on top and be regarded as number one for physiotherapy in London."

Professor Lorraine De Souza, Head of the University's School of Health Sciences and Social Care, added: “We wish to thank everybody who has been directly involved in the NHS tender process and all those who offered us support and advice.”

Brunel's undergraduate Physiotherapy programme was recently re-approved by the Health Professions Council and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. The University's Physiotherapy programmes are regularly ranked in the top five in the national education league tables and achieved sector-leading results in the last National Student Survey.

Notes to editors

To request to interview John Cossar, please call Phil Smith on 01727 733888 or email phil@communicationsmanagement.co.uk.

Personalised Wii technology offers stroke survivors a helping hand in rehabilitation
30 March 2012 11:16

Taking inspiration from the Nintendo Wii, researchers at Brunel University have developed a new prototype technology to improve rehabilitation programmes for stroke survivors.

ReWiiRe is a custom made programme which can be operated on any computer and tailored to individual needs. It is designed to support stroke survivors so that they can continue their rehabilitation in the comfort of their own homes.

One of the biggest barriers stroke survivors face is in keeping motivated to continue rehabilitation exercises outside of clinical settings. When using ReWiiRe, patients can check to see that they are performing the exercises in the right way, can see how they are progressing and improving, and can stay motivated by playing games.

The first stage of the research assessed the potential for Wii technology in stroke rehabilitation by trialling the standard console with patients in the NHS. These findings showed that whilst patients were keen to use the technology to support their rehabilitation at home, the configuration of standard Wii games was too complex, limiting the benefits available to patients.

Dr Cherry Kilbride, Lecturer in Physiotherapy at Brunel, explains: "Following a stroke the brain is unable to function properly and needs to be retrained. It is therefore very important to a Stroke survivor to have direct visual feedback as they start to regain mobility in their limbs."

When using the ReWiiRe prototype patients are able to see the activity being performed on the screen by an avatar, then map their own movements on top. They can also see exactly how they are performing compared to their targets, and tests of the prototype have shown that when patients are focusing on the screen they can reach further and for longer.

As well as standard exercise activities the software also includes simple games such as air hockey, specifically designed to improve mobility and challenge the patients in an engaging way.

Dr Emmanuel Tsekleves, Lecturer in Multimedia Technology and Design at Brunel, said: "Ultimately the idea is that ReWiiRe will allow therapists to monitor the performance of their patients remotely, checking up on progress and updating exercises when patients are ready for the next challenge. As well as freeing up therapists' time to allow them to work with more patients, this remote rehabilitation support will also help patients who may struggle to travel to their nearest clinic."

The prototype has been tested by expert patients in the University setting and researchers are now looking to expand the scale of patient testing to further develop the technology.

Find out more about the project

Case Study - Jas Kwatra

At the age of just 19 Jas suffered two strokes resulting in loss of mobility down the entire left-hand side of her body. In the 12 years since her strokes Jas has undergone numerous outpatient physiotherapy programmes, each for about six weeks, but found it difficult to maintain the exercises away from the sessions and had low levels of motivation due to the repetitive nature of the tasks.

In September 2011 Jas joined Brunel as a Master's student and after finding out about the ReWiiRe research she volunteered to be an expert patient. After using ReWiiRe for just three weeks Jas was surprised at the progress she was able to make.

She explains: "The lack confidence you feel after a stroke which leaves you with a disability is really difficult. I was only 19 years old, independent, strong and ambitious - but everything changed. I can't explain how much positive energy I've gained from using the prototype. I wasn't expecting there to be as much progress in such a short space of time, especially 12 years post-stroke. This leaves me feeling much more optimistic and confident in my physical self. I've always been anxious about having a family and worried as to how I would hold a child safely, but this project gives me a lot of hope that I can improve."

Notes to Editors

For more information, or to interview Dr Cherry Kilbride, Dr Emmanuel Tsekleves or Jas Kwatra please contact Hannah Murray at hannah@communicationsmanagement.co.uk or on 01727 737997. 

Researchers call for in-vehicle technology to help older drivers
30 March 2012 10:45

New research showing that older drivers exhibit greater performance inconsistency than younger drivers has led to calls for the development of in-vehicle aids.

Researchers at Brunel University compared the performance of older and younger drivers in terms of headway (distance from the vehicle in front) and lane position in simulated residential, urban and motorway driving conditions. The findings showed that, for all driving scenarios, older drivers exhibited significantly greater performance inconsistency. The effect was particularly marked in motorway driving.

By studying the cognitive processes involved whilst driving, the team of Brunel researchers also suggest that the consistency of driving performance is affected by age-related differences in attentional and executive control.

As a result they are calling for the development of new in-vehicle technology that may help older drivers to maintain attention and reduce inconsistency in performance and could potentially intervene when specific safety parameters are exceeded in different road situations.

Any new technology must take into consideration the impact on the user and their cognitive function. Professor David Bunce, Professor in Psychology at Brunel, explains: "Although drivers of all ages may benefit from such technology, the cognitive analysis of our older drivers showed that they had to work harder mentally than the younger drivers during the task. It is therefore vital that any technology that is introduced prevents older drivers from becoming overloaded."

Dr Mark Young from Brunel's Human Centred Design Institute adds: "It is not about getting older drivers off the road but rather helping them to drive more safely. Technologies such as adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping assistance are a possibility but we need to ensure that any technology introduced is developed with the user in mind. We need to match the design of these systems specifically to the cognitive abilities of older drivers and also consider how drivers interact with the technology."

The full paper 'Age and inconsistency in driving performance' is now available to view online in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention.

Notes to Editors

For more information contact Hannah Murray on 01727 737997 or at hannah@communicationsmanagement.co.uk