At a time when interest in extending the use of computer technology and "smart" electronics in road transport systems is growing, it should not be forgotten that, on the road, man still remains at the wheel. Even the most sophisticated and efficient systems still require input from the driver and the driver's efficiency obviously depends upon the state of alertness of the central nervous system. The driver's ability to use information will be the key point of all future safety systems. How will drinking and dozing off, which are two very worrying facts, and which have a tremendous effect on road safety, be integrated into the workings of the system as a whole? Such a question explains why, at the same time as proposing a system such as CARMINAT to generate information useful to the driver, Renault is also endeavouring to develop a system which will monitor the drivers's level of alertness, and allow continuous measurement of the constant fluctuations of vigilance which occur during the time spent at the wheel. The Driver Vigilance State Control System is described in its latest form, incorporating the most recent improvements. All the available results obtained for validation of the system are given and discussed in terms of the likelihood of meeting the safety requirements for such a system. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference, see IRRD 837684.
Abstract