Fatigue

EXCROSS

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FatigueCompare the state-of-the-art of research on tools and methods tomonitor, detect, and predict physiological states related towakefulness and fatigue, in individual or professional operators.

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Fatigue is currently one of the hottest topic in tran-sport safety research, since it has been recognisedas one of the key factors in several industrial inci-dents/accidents. Sleep deprivation, fatigue anddrowsiness decrease individual awareness, atten-tion, and increase reaction time. Much research hasbeen conducted on human fatigue prevention, loo-king for systems, methods and tools for detectingand predicting it, with the goal of reducing its im-pact and consequences. Despite its major influence on individual perfor-mance, the fatigue concept is still poorly under-stood, even within the scientific community. Thereis no developed theory concerning its origins orfunctions, and different types of fatigue (mental,physical, sleepiness) are usually mixed. Also, a stan-dard definition of fatigue is missing. The concept isusually associated to a physical and/or mental statederiving from sleep loss, or extended wakefulness,circadian phase, or workload.The fatigue issue is common to all the domains, withthe research activities and approach differing from

one transport mode to the other. The structuralcharacteristics of each transport mode play a majorrole. Structured and centrally controlled domains,such as railway and aviation, address operators’ fa-tigue by managing their schedule and shift patterns.In both domains, specific policies are in place to setlimits on working hours, overtime and shift-swap-ping, trying to prevent fatigue. The same policiesexist in the maritime domain, but the different ope-rational context makes almost impossible to checkthe operators compliance with the IMO work restmandates. The conditions in which seafarers workare becoming increasingly demanding and there arestill occasions where individuals simply have to workfor more than 12 hours with a 6-hours break, forexample during discharging operations. Ship typealso has a role in predicting fatigue. Seafarers basedon ferries reported higher levels of fatigue thanother vessel types. The situation differs again in theroad domain, where most of the users are non-pro-fessional drivers and there is no way to set limits, orregulate the driving/not driving hours.

Introduction

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Findings

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The analysis of the Fatigue topic within EXCROSS iscentred on the project SENSATION. This projectcarried out research on fatigue monitoring, detec-tion, and prediction across three transport modes(road, maritime, and aviation), making most of theresults transversal to the transport modes. Otherprojects were initially selected for the analysis, butnone of them specifically targeted fatigue monito-ring and detection, dealing instead with shiftmanagement models as means to ma-nage fatigue and targeting professio-nal drivers and pilots. Also, theyaddressed fatigue only in one tran-sport mode, thus adding little in-sights to the SENSATION findings.The focus of SENSATION was onbrain activity sensors for hypo-vi-gilance detection, prediction andmanagement as well as diagnosis,treatment and remote monitoring ofsleep disorders. In its industrial appli-cations, the project targeted the sleep

and stress detection and prediction through multi-sensorial systems in order to prevent accidents oc-curring due to these factors. The project deliveredclusters of sensors that can be used in the differentindustrial systems, taking into account the diffe-rent operational environment and driver/pilot’sskills.

In the road and maritime modes, a higher im-pact on fatigue monitoring and detection

for professional drivers could be achie-ved by design of appropriate HMI tobring information (warning stimuliand status indicators) to the opera-tor, rather than by shift manage-ment and regulation. Type ofsystems that can be used in theroad and maritime domains includewarning systems that prevent the

operators from dozing off, stay alertor helping them to make the right de-

cision when alarms are coming in.

Fatigue measuresselection based on thecontext (experimental

vs. operational),objective (off-line vs.real-time monitoring)

and target users(professional vs. non

professional)

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Research gaps on fatigue have been identified inall the domains. In the maritime area, operation-related fatigue on large vessels is monitored insimulated environments but not in real opera-tions. Even if simulation studies are a good star-ting point, the experience suggests that simulatorfindings should be generalised with caution.

In rail transport, fatigue is under-researched.Although train automation is at a highlevel, there are still scenarios wherethe train drivers make key deci-sions/actions.

Road domain is probably the onewhich is investing more energyand resources on fatigue rese-arch. Automation is seen as oneof the most promising solutionsto deal with fatigue. The researchfocus is on semi-automation withthe horizon towards the fully automa-

ted driving. Specific focus of research are the dri-ver-automation interaction, driver workload anddistraction management. A specific research areaof interest concerns those scenarios when the sy-stem gives back control to the driver. The rese-arch question is to define which information thedriver should receive to be kept in the loop. In re-spect to semi-automated systems, further rese-

arch activity is needed to define the principlesthat regulate the man-machine interac-

tion, i.e. how/when the system has towarn the driver and how to regulatethe handover process. Another keyaspect is the regulation of the au-tomated vehicles behaviour inmixed environment, i.e. whenthey are surrounded by non-col-laborative and non-automatedroad participants.

No research project specifically dea-ling with fatigue management was

Standardise the Fatigue concept

definition, criteria andattributes independently

from the domain ofapplied research.

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identified in the aviation domain. However, withinthe domain is adopted a data-driven approach forthe continuous monitoring of fatigue-related sa-fety risks, called Fatigue Risk Management Sy-stem (FRMS). Based upon scientific principles andknowledge, as well as operational experience, itaims to ensure relevant personnel are performingat adequate levels of alertness. Despite of this,research activity in the aviation domain on the fa-tigue topic would be beneficial.

Advanced sensor development for attention,stress, vigilance & sleep/wakefulness monitoring

Funding scheme: EU FP6Website: www.sensation-eu.org

SENSATION explored a wide range of micro andnano sensor technologies for unobtrusive, cost-effective, real-time monitoring of sleep andsleepiness within medical and industrial appli-cations. SENSATION has provided integrated so-lutions for real-life measurements that will havea major impact on both the applications of pre-sent insights and the production of new scienti-fic models and knowledge.

Success story

SENSATION

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Hints for f

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Application of the Hypo-vigilance Management Systemsdeveloped in the road domain to the maritime one.

Implementation of warning systems in the maritime domain,to prevent operator from dozing off and support alertnessstate.

Joint research on fatigue, hypo-vigilance, distraction andstress, starting from a common theoretical framework of theconcept.

Identification of systems that allow real-time monitoring indifferent operational environments.

Development of field operational tests to produce widepublic databases with fatigue and hypo-vigilance data.

r future research

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contact persons:Simone Pozzi, Sara SilvagniDeep Blue

website:www.excross.euinfo@excross.eu

Fatigue

EXCROSS

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