Fatigue is a contributor in approximately 20% of aviation accidents. It can arise from a variety of physiological, psychological, and environmental factors, making it difficult to develop a system that can warn an aviator of the risk of excessive fatigue. To reduce the risk of a fatigue related incident, an aviator must be able to recognize the onset of fatigue and take appropriate preventive measures. There are several devices currently being marketed that have been developed to alert operators of the onset of fatigue. These products are designed to monitor various signs of fatigue, such as changes in the pattern of head and eye movements, facial features, and skin conductance. Optalert (Optalert Pty Ltd, Australia) measures the velocity of the eyelid closing and reopening during blink, and the duration of closure. This personal safety device aims to warn drivers if their drowsiness exceeds pre-determined levels by using visual and aural alerts. (Author/publisher)
Abstract