Using technology to fight driver fatigue

Distribution Technologies Inc., a provider of dedicated contract carriage, common carriage and logistics services and returnable container management, is testing a driver fatigue monitor with its fleet drivers based at its terminal in Neville Island, Pa.DistTech has installed the Driver Fatigue Monitor (DFM) from Attention Technology Inc. in eight vehicles. The DFM, which mounts on the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel, has a compact video-based sensor that measures slow eyelid closure associated with drowsiness. If the DFM identifies that the driver is drowsy, the unit sounds an audible alert."Even though our fleet consistently posts one of the best safety records in the industry, we feel that any accident is one too many," says John Hazenfield, senior vice president/CIO for DistTech. "If the DFM helps to prevent even one accident, it's invaluable to us and our drivers.""Driver fatigue is difficult for drivers to notice because it builds slowly over an hour or so," explains Dr. Richard Grace, CEO and founder of Attention Technology. "The DFM can alert drivers to impending fatigue an hour before a potentially dangerous situation. Our device is the result of more than 10 years of research, design and testing at Carnegie Mellon University and has been validated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as being able to accurately measure drowsiness."DistTech is in the process of evaluating the DFM based on driver feedback and acceptance and is considering installing the unit in all of its vehicles systemwide. The initial response from the drivers testing the device in Neville Island has been positive. Because the DFM is portable and can be mounted in just minutes, some of the drivers are also using the units in their cars on the way to and from the terminal, especially at night.

www.attentiontechnology.com

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