Much attention has been focused this past year on the issue of driver fatigue. One important aspect of this subject is the task of detecting it. Technologies for accomplishing this feat have exploded in the past decade – particularly since the mid-90's. These technologies have taken a variety of forms, centering on the driver, the vehicle, the physical environment, and the driving environment.
Fatigue measurement technologies may be conveniently categorized in four groups:
Some of these technologies have already been demonstrated to be effective. Two examples which illustrate both the ease and sophistication of such technology are wrist monitors and lane deviation detectors. Wrist monitors can alert a complete spectrum of drivers, management and enforcement officials. And detection devises mounted, for example, to the differential might also power down the vehicle. The potential of such technology is so powerful that many advocates and visionaries are already divided into “operator-based” and “vehicle-based” camps. Genuine advocates of motorcoach safety have good reason to be excited.
Unfortunately, the major problems with the evolution of many of these technologies lies not in the realm of mathematics, science and engineering, but rather, in a spectrum of practical problems from the development of acceptable standards and criteria for definitions and measurement, to the ramifications of their application to real-life driving scenarios. As an illustration, one can only imagine what would likely unfold when a fatigue alarm sounds on an activity trip on a coach filled with hyperactive schoolchildren – and the driver announcing not only that a mechanism has detected an unacceptable level of fatigue, and that regulations require him or her to pull over and snooze – but further, that the passengers must all cooperate by maintaining relative silence while he does so. Proponents of such an approach are likely to have better dreams than any such drivers.
In contrast, the practical application of such technology might be crafted to permit drivers to address the problems in a more creative fashion, while providing them with far more sound and urgent information and motivation. As an example, seasoned drivers currently operating on overnight runs who sense the onset of drowsiness in the early morning hours might – with all or most passengers asleep – pull over, take a short nap, or even take a brisk stroll outside the vehicle. If and when noticed and confronted, such clever drivers might misinform inquisitive passengers that the engine was overheating – and needs to cool down. Such an excuse – even though usually malarkey – would likely be far more palatable, and far less frightening, and could buy the driver the time and freedom to obtain some needed rest (even if an actual nap is out of reach). The appropriate physical response – not operating the coach for a reasonable time period thereafter – could easily be monitored in either “real time” (via radio-controlled or GPS equipment) or after-the-fact (via trip records generated by the technologies themselves).
A critical and growing problem with digitalia is its replacement of knowledge and judgment with information. One transportation-related indicator of this enigma can be found in the increase of rape and molestation on paratransit and special education pupil transportation services which has accompanied the transition from manual to computerized scheduling. As many transportation experts know intuitively, but few admit, technology makes for a swell honeymoon. But it also makes for a rocky marriage.
Filtering the technology and its information through a prism of knowledge, judgment and common sense will likely comprise an important part of the overall solution – and hopefully some creative alternatives to outright lying-to-the-passengers can be devised. Finding the optimum solutions here will likely take a lot of effort and ingenuity, and a lot of responsible information-sharing. But creativity and improvisation are the motorcoach industry's strong suit. This author would pit our best and brightest against any operating problem.
The next installment on this issue – “Fatigue Monitoring Reality” – will explore the labyrinth of technical and non-technical issues such approaches and technologies are likely to confront if and when they actually work. Stay on board for this one: It is likely to be a long and interesting journey.
Because driver fatigue may be the industry's greatest genuine safety issue, its solutions are likely to deliver substantial payoffs in a range of areas from reduced insurance premiums to marketing opportunities. As a recently-completed National Academy of Science study focusing on home-to-school travel just concluded, bus transportation is the safest form of public transportation. If we can enhance motorcoach safety even further, perhaps we may even discover some new justification for raising fares.