24.12.2024Research delivers new vehicle fatigue detection guide  

Groundbreaking research into fatigued driving has determined the types of technologies most effective in detecting when a driver is at risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

Drowsy driving contributes to about 30 per cent of motor vehicle crashes and a fifth of fatal crashes.

The research, conducted under the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA’s) Road Safety Research Program, examined a range of fatigue-detection technologies (FDTs) that are available in new cars or can be fitted to vehicles after purchase.

The Road Safety Research Program is backed by member motoring clubs including Committee for Melbourne member RACV.

Researchers from Monash University, another Committee member, along with Central Queensland University and the Institute for Breathing and Sleep found:

• The most effective technologies monitored drivers’ eye movement, are based on scientific sleepiness scales, and sounded alarms early enough to alert drivers to act
• Inexpensive, pre-drive technologies that address fitness to drive are also effective
• Technologies designed to detect when a car is drifting into the wrong lane were not good indicators of fatigue
• Devices measuring a driver’s heartbeat through steering wheel sensors were not very effective because they rely on drivers always keeping both hands on the wheel.

Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission has found that one in three Australians say they have driven while quite tired and one in five have driven while so tired they struggled to keep eyes open.

AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley said: “Fleet and safety managers told the AAA that lack of information on emerging technologies was a major barrier to uptake

“That’s why Australia’s motoring clubs invested $1.2 million via the Road Safety Research Program to produce practical resources that will drive uptake of these technologies and deliver real road safety improvements.”

The research resulted in the production of a practical guidebook for users to understand available fatigue-detection technologies, how their organisations can use FDT, and best-practice steps for adopting and embedding FDT in their operations.

The AAA’s Fatigue Detection Technology for Fleets Guide is free and can be downloaded here.

The program uses a competitive selection process to select universities and other organisations to conduct independent research into areas that can reduce deaths and injuries on Australian roads, which have been steadily rising over the past few years.

This fatigued driving technology project is the program’s first research output. Projects in the pipeline include how best to train drivers to manage their fatigue, and the extent to which modern cars’ touchscreens distract drivers from keeping their eyes on the road.

For more information on the Road Safety Research Program, see this webpage.