Awake at the wheel: how auto technology innovations present ongoing sleep challenges and new safety opportunities

Abstract

Individuals and society are dependent on transportation. Individuals move about their world for work, school, healthcare, social activities, religious and athletic events, and so much more. Society requires the movement of goods, food, medicine, etc. for basic needs, commerce, cultural and political exchanges, and all of its dynamic, complex elements. To meet these critical daily demands, the transportation system operates globally and around-the-clock. Regardless of their role, a basic requirement for the individuals operating the transportation system is that they are awake and at optimal alertness. This applies to individuals driving their own cars, riding a bike or motorcycle, as well as pilots of commercial aircraft, train engineers, long-haul truck drivers, and air traffic controllers. Alert operators are a basic requirement for a safe and effective transportation system. Decades of scientific and operational research have demonstrated that the 24/7 scheduling demands on operators and passengers of our transportation system create sleep and circadian disruptions that reduce alertness and performance and cause serious safety problems. These challenges underly the longstanding interest in transportation safety by the sleep and circadian scientific community. An area currently offering perhaps the most significant opportunities and challenges in transportation safety involves vehicle technology innovations. This paper provides an overview of these latest innovations with a focus on sleep-relevant issues and opportunities. Drowsy driving is discussed, along with fatigue management in round-the-clock transportation operations. Examples of cases where technology innovations could improve or complicate sleep issues are discussed, and ongoing sleep challenges and new safety opportunities are considered.

Advancements in the Intelligent Detection of Driver Fatigue and Distraction: A Comprehensive Review

“…When drivers exhibit signs of fatigue or distraction, beyond issuing early warnings, safety responses can also be implemented through Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). If it is detected that a driver is unable to control the vehicle promptly due to fatigue or distraction, an ADAS can automatically engage emergency braking or perform other evasive maneuvers to prevent potential collisions or accidents, thereby affording the driver more reaction time [71]. For instance, an Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system can autonomously apply the brakes to significantly reduce the risk of an accident if a collision is predicted and the driver has not responded in time.…”

Time for sleep science to wake up to drowsy driver monitoring

“…Driver monitoring systems (DMS) that can detect drowsiness and distraction in real-time are now included in the European new car assessment program and are already widely used in the road transport sector [ 1 ]. Rosekind et al make a critical call for sleep scientists and clinicians to collaborate with the transport technology sector and contribute to guiding DMS development, evaluation, and use [ 2 ]. Drowsiness remains a key cause of road crashes.…”

“…Rosekind et al highlight the development of advanced driver assistance systems (e.g. lane departure warnings), automated driving systems that take over vehicle operations and DMS, which are all likely to be beneficial in reducing drowsy driving crash risk [ 2 ]. DMS specifically targets monitoring drivers for drowsiness and inattention to the roadway, or distraction.…”