Driver fatigue and driving performance among drivers in Simulated Prolonged Driving

Abstract

Motor vehicle accident is a major problem in Malaysia. The statistics for a ten year periods (1997 to 2007) shows an increasing number of accidents. Fatigue and drowsiness among the commercial drivers has been identified as one of the main reasons behind fatal crashes and serious injuries especially driving in long and monotonous motorway. The objectives of this study was to determine the driver’s driving errors and physiological change of EEG in association with external factors such as driving condition and environmental background factors in a prolonged simulation study. Methodology: Twenty-five healthy male subjects, aged between 20 to 53 years old were divided into two groups and took part in one of the two different driving sessions, (simulated daytime or night time driving) which carried out in morning session. The total length of each simulated driving journey is approximately 250km. Outcomes were measured in terms of driver’s driving performance [number of running-off-the-road incidents (RORIs) and large speed variation (LSV)] and electroencephalogram (EEG). The ambient temperature, carbon dioxide (CO2) level and lighting conditions were regulated throughout the experiment. Result: The study showed that time-on-task effect had significantly deteriorated drivers’ alertness and impaired driving performance in an extended driving period, particularly in certain driving condition or environmental factors considered. Conclusion: This study shows that prolong driving had significantly induced drivers’ fatigue level exclusively with monotony environment in surroundings. In addition, extended driving period also deteriorated drivers’ performance, revealing that time-on-task effect could possibily put drivers on a higher risk to involve in traffic accident.