Feasibility of using virtual reality when investigating street-crossing behavior in older pedestrians

Maintaining mobility is essential for older adults, particularly when navigating urban environments. Perceived safety when crossing the street affects older adults’ ability to stay active and mobile. Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly used to study human behavior and new traffic technologies, but less is known about its feasibility for older adults. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of using a VR pedestrian simulator in research involving older adults by examining their experiences of presence, immersion, perceived realism, and simulator sickness, and comparing these experiences with those of younger adults. The study used a distributed driver‐pedestrian simulation setup, in which older adults participated only in the pedestrian simulator. Thirty‐five pairs participated in the tests; 17 of the pedestrians were over 70 years old, and the remaining 18 were between 25 and 55 years old. A mixed‐methods research design was used, combining questionnaires with interviews. The findings indicate that older adults experienced the VR environment as manageable and engaging and most older participants reported negligible or minimal simulator sickness symptoms. No statistically significant age-group differences were found in the measures of perceived presence, realism, or immersion. The findings provide preliminary support for selected aspects of the feasibility of using VR pedestrian simulators in research involving older adults, particularly their ability to tolerate, interact in, and engage with the virtual environment. Further research is needed to evaluate behavioral validity and generalizability to broader populations of older adults.