Application of a Heavy Vehicle Drowsy Driver Detection System

Driver drowsiness/fatigue is an important cause of combination-unit truck crashes. Recent analyses of the problem estimates that 15% - 36% of all crashes fatal to combination-unit-truck drivers are drowsiness related. The cost of these crashes is estimated to be $2,060 per vehicle over the lifetime of a combination-unit truck.

Drowsy driver detection methods can form the basis of a system to potentially reduce the number of crashes related to drowsy driving. Recently, significant strides have been made in the development and application of a real-time drowsiness monitor. The monitor employs a novel dual image video processing technique to measure PERCLOS, a scientifically validated measure of drowsiness. Uses for the PERCLOS monitor include:

• providing real-time drowsiness feedback to the driver,
• providing performance feedback to a fatigue management program, and/or
• providing regulatory compliance information to enforcement officials.

This article will explore the uses of such a device within a fatigue management framework designed to minimize observed drowsiness, improve driver sleep habits and improve scheduling practices.