Fatigue Distraction Detection Technologies

Fatigue and Distraction Detection Technologies (FDDT) are shown to play a positive role in reducing driver fatigue and distraction events by better ensuring drivers are behind the wheel when they are most fit for duty and alerting drivers to potential incidents.

We know the heavy vehicle industry and regulatory partners support the safety benefits of FDDT, but they want to see greater guidance and safety management systems to support its use. As the safety regulator, the NHVR is committed to partnering with industry to develop an agreed approach to what good practice in the use of FDDT looks like.

Guidelines

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released new good practice guidance to support industry uptake of rapidly emerging Fatigue and Distraction Detection Technologies (FDDT).

Following an NHVR commissioned safety project involving industry interviews, a set of guidelines providing a starting point on good practice options including usable templates has been developed.

Key features of the guidance material:

  • An overview of the safety benefits and types of technologies available
  • Practical instructions on how to install, set-up and maintain FDDTs
  • Information and fillable templates on how to meet your safety duties under the HVNL
  • Fatigue and distraction event procedures and processes to reasonably respond to alerts

The guidance material is not meant to be a prescriptive, "must do", but rather is designed to provide a starting point on the good practice options to help manage challenges that might be encountered with FDDT introduction and use.

2019 Fatigue Distraction Detection Research Report

The new project will build on the findings of the NHVR’s 2019 research study which identified the importance of the company response in identifying driver behaviour and trends to better manage safety.

The 2019 FDDT Study involved interviews with operators currently using fatigue and distraction detection technologies, as well as analysis of records and data from operators currently using the technology to assist in identifying ways to facilitate the successful adoption and use of fatigue and distraction technology by the road freight industry.

Fatigue monitoring trial 

In October 2018 the NHVR held the first Australian Fatigue Safety Forum with representatives from the heavy vehicle industry and state and territory governments to identify issues and actions required to improve fatigue outcomes as well as discuss future directions in fatigue safety.

One of the key actions from this forum was to trial fatigue safety related technologies to gain a greater understanding of how they work and are used.

Phase 1 - Research

Phase 1 of the Fatigue Monitoring Trial involved an initial review of fatigue and distraction technology.