An experimental study was carried out to identify effective advisory and alarm
stimuli to be used in a drowsy driver detection system. The envisioned system has three
stages. In the first stage, previously developed detection algorithms would compute online
drowsiness levels. If a driver's drowsiness level exceeds a predetermined threshold
the system would proceed to stage two. At this point an initial advisory tone and a voice
message would be played. If the driver does not respond, he or she would experience a realerting
alarm. The third stage of the system would give the driver an option of using a
drowsiness countermeasure to help maintain the re-alerted state.
The goal of the present research was to determine the effectiveness of possible
stimuli to be used in the second and third stages of the envisioned system. Eight initial
advisory tones, two voice messages, eight alarm sounds, and five peripheral stimuli were
investigated as part of stage two. In addition, six drowsiness countermeasures to be used
in stage three were investigated. Eight graduate students in the Human Factors Engineering
program at Virginia Tech volunteered as subjects. Subjects drove the automobile simulator
throughout the experimental session. Data were collected using subjective opinion, paired
comparisons, and effectiveness ratings.
This study succeeded in answering many question regarding stimuli to be used in a
drowsy driver detection, advising, and alerting system. The results of the study indicated
very effective stimuli to be used in the advising and alerting stages of the envisioned
system.
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