Driver monitoring system is advanced safety features designed to help prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue or inattention. These systems are especially useful for companies with vehicle fleets, such as trucking companies, delivery services, or any business with drivers on the road for long hours.
The system simply works by using a camera installed on the vehicle’s dashboard. This camera has sensors that can detect the driver’s facial movements and expressions, even at night or if the driver is wearing sunglasses. Special software analyzes this data to determine if the driver is showing signs of drowsiness or distraction.
How Does the Driver Monitoring System Work?
When a driver first begins their shift, the system creates a baseline profile of what they look like when they are alert and attentive. As the driver continues their route, the system continuously monitors their face and compares it to this baseline. If it detects signs like head nodding, heavy blinking, or lack of eye movement, it will issue an audio and vibration alert to catch the driver’s attention and warn them that they may be getting drowsy.
In addition to alerting the driver, the system can also send notifications to fleet managers or dispatchers. This allows managers to monitor driver fatigue levels across their entire fleet. If a driver is showing significant signs of drowsiness, the manager can intervene by instructing the driver to take a break or even reassigning them to prevent potential accidents.
By using data from the driver monitoring system, fleet companies can better plan work schedules, route assignments, and shift rotations to avoid overworking drivers and manage fatigue. This helps improve overall safety, prevent downtime from accidents, and reduce costs associated with incidents.
Such systems when synced with ADAS software, they become drivers’ third eye as it help them get a 360-degree view of the road. It allows them to stay proactive of any event like collision.
What are the Key Takeaways and Insights of the Advanced Driver Monitoring System?
Driver Monitoring System (DMS) ensure drivers maintain attention on driving tasks. DMS can detect various forms of driver distraction, including the use of mobile phones while driving, which is a significant concern for road safety.
How DMS Detects Phone Use and Other Distractions?
- Facial recognition and head positioning
Advanced DMS utilizes cameras equipped with infrared sensors to monitor the driver’s face and eye movements continuously. The system can detect if the driver’s head tilts or turns away from the road for a prolonged period, which could indicate phone usage or engagement with other distractions.
- Eye Tracking
Eye tracking technology within the DMS can assess where the driver is looking. If the driver’s eyes are not on the road and instead look downward (possibly at a phone) or elsewhere for an extended time, the system identifies this behavior as a distraction. Moreover, it can recognize if the driver’s eyes are closed or if the driver is showing signs of drowsiness.
- Hand Position Monitoring
Some systems are intelligent enough to monitor the position of the driver’s hands. An absence of hands on the steering wheel could indicate the driver is possibly using a phone or is otherwise engaged away from the task of driving.
- Machine Learning Algorithms
Over time, with advancements in artificial intelligence, DMS has incorporated machine learning algorithms that learn from a wide dataset of driver behaviors. These algorithms can better predict and recognize patterns consistent with phone use or other distractions, thereby increasing the accuracy of detection.
Response to Detected Distractions
Upon detecting a distraction, DMS can alert the driver through various methods, including:
- Auditory Warnings
Emitting beep sounds or verbal warnings to alert the driver about their diverted attention.
- Visual Alerts
Displaying messages on the vehicle’s infotainment system or dashboard.
- Feedback
Providing vibrations through the steering wheel or seat.
Noticing if the Dashcam is Blocked
If something is blocking the view of the dashcam deliberately, the Driver monitoring system will alert, ensuring clear visibility for analyzing driving habits and ensuring safety protocols are followed.
- Parked Vehicles
The vehicle is ideally stationary with the engine off. It’s a standard situation indicating the driver has exited the vehicle for various reasons, such as running errands, attending meetings, etc.
- Emergency Situations
If a vehicle is in motion and the driver is not in their seat, it’s a highly dangerous and unusual situation, potentially leading to accidents. This could occur due to the driver being injured, attempting to avoid a hazard, or other emergency conditions.
Various Sectors Using DMS
A driver monitoring system (DMS) keeps an eye on drivers to make sure they’re paying attention and staying alert while driving. So, many companies have started employing DMS:
- Fleet Management for Delivery Companies
Imagine a company that delivers packages. A Driver monitoring system can help ensure that drivers remain focused, especially during long shifts or busy seasons. If a driver starts to show signs of fatigue, the system can alert them to take a break, potentially preventing accidents and ensuring parcels are delivered safely and on time.
- School Bus Safety
Schools can use Driver monitoring system in their buses to monitor bus drivers. This helps in making sure that drivers remain attentive, especially during early mornings and late afternoons when children are being picked up or dropped off. It can enhance children’s safety by reducing the risk of accidents caused by distracted or drowsy driving.
- Taxi and Ride-Sharing Services
Companies like Uber can equip their vehicles with Driver monitoring system to ensure that drivers stay alert throughout their shifts. This not only protects passengers but also helps maintain the company’s reputation for safety, potentially increasing customer trust and satisfaction.
- Long-Haul Trucking Operations
For businesses that operate over long distances, such as trucking companies, Driver monitoring system can be a game-changer. It can alert drivers to take mandatory rest breaks, helping to comply with legal driving hours and reducing the chances of accidents caused by fatigue.
- Emergency Vehicle Safety
Ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks often rush to scenes at high speed. DMS can ensure that even under high pressure, drivers of these vehicles remain focused on the road, enhancing the safety of emergency responders and the general public.
The above sectors rejoice in the fact that such systems are easy to collaborate with route management systems to find the most optimum route for drivers. Saving their mileage and fuel costs by great numbers.
Before You Go!
In more advanced systems or semi-autonomous vehicles, the vehicle might even take corrective measures, such as slowing down or gently correcting the steering, to ensure safety until the driver’s full attention is returned to the driving task.
Driver monitoring system by TrackoBit offers a valuable solution for fleet operators to proactively address one of the biggest risk factors for vehicle accidents: driver fatigue and inattention. With real-time monitoring and intervention, these systems can potentially save lives while also benefiting companies through increased productivity and reduced costs related to accidents and downtime.
Also, it’s important to note that while Driver monitoring system provides an additional layer of safety by monitoring and responding to signs of driver distraction, the ultimate responsibility for safe driving rests with the individual behind the wheel. Technologies like Driver monitoring system are complements to, not substitutes for, responsible driving practices.
Read Also: What is a Driver Monitoring System & How Does it Work?
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