The impact of fatigue and sleep deprivation on driving performance | |
| Author | Nantawan Tippayanate |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.TE-05-11 |
| Subject(s) | Sleep deprivation Automobile driving Physiological aspects |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. TE-05-11 |
| Abstract | Drowsiness and fatigue are parts of driver's distraction, which is a major contributor to highway crashes, because drowsiness and fatigue are important factors of induced loss of concentration. However, the influences of fatigue and drowsiness on traffic accidents are undermined because of the fact that the concept of fatigue and drowsiness are still muddled and in reality, it is difficult to measure these parameters. This research work is directed to the further understanding about the impact of drowsiness and fatigue on driving performance by detecting the physiological and neuro-behavioral changes. Participants of various skill categories with different sleep deprivation levels are allowed to drive on a driving simulator for several hours. Physiological changes of the participants are measured in terms of PIEV, speeding pattern, lane tracking, crash and near-miss crashes. Neurobehavioral changes are monitored by using Electromyogram, EMG and Electrooculogram, EOG. With increasing sleep deprivation (drowsiness) and longer duration of driving (fatigue), the number of eye blinking (EOG value) and the number of EMG are found to reduce in Thai drivers. Moreover, driving under sleep deprivation condition affects the EMG values in male participants alleviated substantially after 90 minutes of driving while it remained stable for the female participants. It is clearly evident that drivers have a tendency to increase their speed when they are feeling fatigue or boredom. In addition, it is also found that PIE Vs increase with longer hours of driving both for drowsiness and fatigued drivers. Results obtained from drowsiness study also show that the chances of accident increase significantly, when a driver with two hours and 45 minutes of sleep deprivation drive for more than one hour. From the fatigue study, it is found that continuous driving of more than six and a half hours increase the potential of accident. The findings of this research can help policymaker to prepare guidelines and regulations related with the maximum durations of continuous driving. The results can also be used for positioning the rest areas along the roadside for long-haul drivers |
| Year | 2006 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. TE-05-11 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Transportation Engineering (TE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Yordphol Tanaboriboon; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Hanaoka, Shinya;Kunnawee Kanitpong; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Thai Health Promotion Foundation; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |