Driver Fatigue: A Study of Two Types of Countermeasures

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of auditory stimulation and performance feedback as fatigue countermeasures. Two types of auditory stimulation were used: (1) specially programmed music and (2) recordings of current news events. Two types of performance feedback came from (1) lateral position tracking and (2) speed tracking. It was hypothesized that each of the four countermeasures would significantly improve driver performance by reducing driver fatigue. Ten subjects were required to complete a series of three hour test sessions driving an automobile simulator. Each subject completed six control sessions without any of the countermeasures, followed by six experimental sessions utilizing one of the four countermeasures. Some subjects continued on with additional groups of six experimental sessions, each group with a different countermeasure. Dependent variables included lateral position error, speed variation, steering reversals, heart rate, and subjective fatigue. The results show that lateral position feedback was the only countermeasure that resulted in a consistent and significant improvement in driver performance. The results also suggest that early indications of speed variation and steering reversals are possible predictors of one's susceptibility to fatigue and poor performance during long distance driving, although further research is necessary.