Optalert - Fatigue Management

Fatigue is probably the biggest safety concern facing the transport industry. Research has shown that fatigue is four times more likely to contribute to workplace impairment than drugs or alcohol. This is due to the fact that drivers and operators face the complex challenge of finding adequate quantity and quality sleep within irregular shift work schedules, in addition to the critical safety nature of their jobs. Impaired performance due to sleep deprivation, mixed with the high demands of constant alertness and attentiveness, can make for a dangerous combination.

Between 20–30% of road accidents involve driver fatigue. These accidents cost us dearly. Based on figures from the Bureau of Transport Economics, fatigue-related accidents cost the community around $3 billion dollars a year, with heavy vehicle fatigue accidents costing around $250 million annually. This doesn’t even take into account the enormous human and emotional cost of these accidents.

Fatigue management technology

Approaches to reduce fatigue-related accidents include such measures as hours-of-driving regulations, which limit consecutive and cumulative work hours. However, the effectiveness of such approaches has been significantly compromised by the lack of incorporation of scientific sleep-wake principles such as circadian rhythmicity.

A more effective approach would involve the capability to continuously assess driver fatigue regardless of factors such as time of day, previous amount and quality of sleep, body position and the presence of drugs or alcohol. In response to this need, Optalert has developed the world’s first real-time fatigue management technology, capable of measuring the actual risk of driver fatigue.

Driver fatigue monitoring

Optalert is committed to providing the best fatigue management product available. Optalert provides an end-to-end suite of services to help reduce the risk of operator fatigue. This coincides with the introduction of a refreshed pricing structure; providing better options, greater affordability and flexibility to customers.

Optalert’s leading-edge technology continuously measures drowsiness by detecting changes in eye and eyelid movements. Tiny light emitters and receivers are built into the frames of Optalert glasses worn by the operator. The glasses are connected to the Optalert vehicle system, installed within the vehicle, which processes all of the information transmitted from the glasses. Upon detection of the onset of drowsiness (generally occurring before the operator themselves becomes aware), a loud beeping and voice message warns the operator immediately.

Driver drowsiness warning indicator

Drivers and operators have their fatigue / JDS score visible, providing an interactive experience. The visible JDS indicator progressively moves up the scale from low to high. At a high level score of 4.5 the driver / operator is at an increased risk to drive.

With the aim of having a low JDS score, a driver can now plan their journey more safely by having more control over how they manage their fatigue when they see that their score is increasing. When they are alerted to a medium risk, this is the time to implement a strategy such as drinking a cup of coffee, changing body position, chewing gum or taking a rest stop.

In order to avoid distracting the operator from their task, the indicator will dim after a period of time. To recheck their score, the operator simply needs to wave their hand over the top to illuminate it once again. The JDS score displayed on the indicator consists of three risk signals:

• Green: low risk (normal)
• Yellow: medium risk (caution)
• Red: high risk (critical)

Web-based fatigue reporting system

Web-based fatigue reporting allows drivers to understand and manage their fatigue. For the first time managers have the ability to monitor their operators’ data and incorporate this information into fatigue management strategies and policies. The system has been designed to deliver data downloads from vehicle to Optalert server and store information via a web server with multiple access to company data. This allows for trend analysis and forecasting, the development of more focused training, optimization of scheduling for effective rostering, identification of specific patterns of fatigue risks and measurement of potential problems.

Optalert recognises that all businesses are different. Each has unique circumstances, needs and goals. The web-based reporting system has been designed to cater for different types of businesses with individual requirements which may be quite diverse, such as the requirements for single driver operators, managers of people and managers of transport operations.

Fatigue consulting

Optalert can assist organisations in developing strategies to minimise the effects of fatigue on health, safety, and profitability. This is achieved by working with clients to collect data on fatigue specific to their workforce and working conditions. Optalert can provide a ‘toolbox’ of guides, templates, training materials, and other tools to help each company develop its own fatigue risk management policies and practices.