Abstract
Research is underway at the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop, test, and evaluate a prototype drowsy driver detection and warning system for commercial vehicle drivers (1996-1998). Even though the loss of alertness in drivers has been detected in laboratory driving simulators with impressive accuracy (Wierwille, Lewin, Fairbanks, & Neal, 1996), there remain numerous scientific issues and technical challenges associated with field deployment. This chapter provides an overview of the drowsy driver problem in the United States, a description of NHTSA's drowsy driver technology program, and an introduction to some of the scientific issues and technical challenges that confront system deployment.