AAA Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (LongROAD) Data User Guide
This document serves as the data user guide for the 5-year multi-site AAA LongROAD prospective cohort study of 2,990 drivers aged 65–79 at baseline.
January 2024
Abstract
Overview
The aging of the population in the United States, particularly the “baby boomers,” is bringing about new challenges to maintaining safe mobility for older adults that are well recognized in the transportation community. As research continues to better understand and respond to these challenges, three complementary and interdependent goals have emerged: 1) to help older drivers continue to drive as long as they can safely do so; 2) to facilitate the transition from driving to non-driving; and 3) to support comfortable and convenient community options for those who are no longer able or choose not to drive.
Much of the research to date has focused on crash risk and outcomes rather than mobility issues associated with the transition from driving to non-driving. In addition, most studies have relied on retrospective or secondary data analyses, which can provide only limited insights into the complex relationships among factors that influence crashes and loss of mobility, including driving patterns, medical conditions, medications, and family and social dynamics. Many research questions related to safe mobility can best, and in some cases only, be answered through a large-scale, prospective, longitudinal cohort study.
The aim of the AAA Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (AAA LongROAD) study was to understand the natural history, determinants, and mechanisms of driving behavior, safety, and related outcomes among older drivers. The project’s goal was to enhance safe mobility among older adults by developing and conducting a prospective cohort study of older drivers and generate an extensive data and knowledge base that will fuel future research and decision-making regarding older driver safety and mobility. This document serves as the data user guide for the 5-year multi-site AAA LongROAD study of 2,990 drivers aged 65–79 at baseline.
For the ease of the reader, the document is divided into two parts:
- Part I, AAA LongROAD Background and Overview, includes six sections: Introduction, Study Design, Data Collection Schedule During Study Duration, Description of Study Sample at Enrollment, Study Attrition Over Time, and Study Changes Over Time.
- Part II, AAA LongROAD Data, includes two sections: Description of Data Files and Using the Data.
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