Ford Testing for Driver Drowsiness

March 5, 2004
While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) begins a two-year effort to develop driver drowsiness detection technology for commercial trucking, Ford Motor Co. is in the midst of very similar research for automobile drivers. Ford is using its own proprietary VIRtual Test Track Experiment (VIRTTEX) full-motion-based driving simulator to study the effects of drowsiness on 30 test

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) begins a two-year effort to develop driver drowsiness detection technology for commercial trucking, Ford Motor Co. is in the midst of very similar research for automobile drivers.

Ford is using its own proprietary VIRtual Test Track Experiment (VIRTTEX) full-motion-based driving simulator to study the effects of drowsiness on 30 test driver subjects. Ford began the study last December and expects to wrap up data collection this month, said Jeff Greenberg, a staff technical specialist for Ford and manager of its VIRTTEX lab.

"These are often not minor accidents when they occur," said Greenberg. "When someone falls asleep at the wheel, the vehicle often leaves the lane and the roadway - followed by a major crash or rollover. Our goal is to better understand these incidents and investigate whether new technologies could be developed that might detect this situation and help prevent it from happening."

According to NHTSA estimates, drowsiness accounts for about 4% of all fatal crashes or more than 1,500 deaths each year. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes annually -- about 1.5% of all crashes -- involve drowsiness and fatigue as a principal causal factor, said Greenberg. Results from its drowsiness research should be available later this spring.

Ford and researchers at its Volvo subsidiary are investigating ways to sense when a driver is falling asleep to help prevent unintended lane departure, he said. Several concepts are being reviewed to alert drivers, such as using simulated vibration, flashing red lights, and forcibly turning the wheel to keep the vehicle from swerving out of its lane.

About the Author

Sean Kilcarr | Editor in Chief

Sean Kilcarr is a former longtime FleetOwner senior editor who wrote for the publication from 2000 to 2018. He served as editor-in-chief from 2017 to 2018.

 

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Boost truck leasing profits with telematics insights! Reduce maintenance costs, improve uptime, and strengthen customer relationships. Learn how data drives success.
This free guide outlines simple steps for hiring and onboarding commercial drivers while ensuring that you meet Regulation Part 391 and maintain fully compliant driver qualification...
Ready to boost fleet efficiency by up to 50%? Learn how AI-powered dispatch and next-gen tech are transforming TMS workflows, improving driver planning, and streamlining operations...
Gain a strategic edge in today’s evolving fleet landscape. Join us to explore how fuel cards are helping fleet managers cut costs, enhance control, and prepare for an electrified...