Older People's Use of Unfamiliar Space (OPUS)

This project aimed to determine the mechanisms and strategies used by older people to navigate unfamiliar spaces as drivers, pedestrians and users of public transports. 48 participants took part in a reality cave exercise and a questionnaire. Their heart rate was monitored en route to and while in the reality cave; cardiac indicators were used to asses stress levels and other psychological measures. This raw data is compiled in an SPSS file with 245 variables. A subgroup were taken to Colchester (an unfamiliar town) to undertake a 'walk around town' so that comparisons between the cave and reality could be made. Participants recorded their experiences in note and discussions with planners and a group of local residents.

Subsequent interviews were also carried out with spatial planners and analysed to prepare a note on used friendly inclusive design. <p>The research explores older people's use and navigation of unfamiliar spaces as drivers, pedestrians and public transport users. It aims:
To investigate the influences on someone's ability to cope with unfamiliar environments; to examine the extent to which unfamiliar environments curtail autonomy and independence and lead to social (and environmental) exclusion.
To identify the environmental triggers that older people respond to, for example to determine the characteristics of places that makes them threatening.
In addition it will explore how technologies can assist in enabling older people to adapt to/change the environment.
Filming of unfamiliar routes will be displayed in a virtual reality cave. The filming will take place as a pedestrian. Older people will be asked to give a detailed narrative as they navigate a route and will be interviewed after the experience. Spatial planners (from the area of filming) will also be interviewed and will interact with older participants in discussing environmental design.
From the information a demonstrator GIS/GPS based spatial information tool will be developed, which older people will test. The research will also lead to a good practice guide for spatial planners.</p>