Conference Proceeding

Can Low Cost Road Engineering Measures Combat Driver Fatigue? A Driving Simulator Investigation

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Abstract

Driver fatigue is a major cause of road accidents, accounting for over 20% of serious accidents on motorways and monotonous roads in the U.K. This study investigated the potential for low-cost, road-based, engineering measures to act as alerting features in an otherwise monotonous driving environment and hence combat fatigue. Thirty-three drivers took part in the driving simulator study. There was some evidence of an alerting effect provided to drivers by all three of the treatments tested: chevron road-surface markings, transversecarriageway rumble strips and variable message signs. However, the alerting effect did appear to be relatively weak and potentially quite short-lived. Nevertheless, there may well be potential for any of the novel alerts to be deployed in the field in a known fatigue-related accident area.

How to Cite:

Jamson, A. & Merat, N., (2009) “Can Low Cost Road Engineering Measures Combat Driver Fatigue? A Driving Simulator Investigation”, Driving Assessment Conference 5(2009), 251-259. doi: https://doi.org/10.17077/drivingassessment.1329

Rights: Copyright © 2009 the author(s)