Accurately detecting driver states (e.g. sleepiness) is crucial if conditionally automated systems are to take or release control over the vehicle in a functional way. Unlike sleepiness, little is know about rest as a driver state. How can it be detected, if at all? How recuperative can it be? Here, we describe the results of pilot studies aiming to define rest in terms of different outcome variables.

1. Distinguishing resting from driving truck drivers
Stress Research Institute
Wessel M.A. van Leeuwen1, Christiana Harous1,2, Göran Kecklund1, Christer Ahlström3, Stas Krupenia2, Anna Anund3
(1) Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden, (2) Scania Technical Centre, Scania AB, Södertälje, Sweden,
(3) Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, Linköping, Sweden
Conclusion
Rest is a complicated driver state to describe in
physiological terms where much of its
recuperative nature depends on the activities
that are carried out while resting. The monotony
that is characteristic for long haul truck driving is
clearly interrupted for a while, but it remains to
be elucidated what this has for consequences for
the remains of the drive as well as how rest can
be described in physiological terms.
Stress Research Institute is a knowledge centre in the area of stress and health. The Institute is part of the Faculty of Social Science,
Stockholm University, Sweden and conducts basic and applied research on multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary methodological
approaches.
E-mail info@stressforskning.su.se Website www.stressresearch.se
CONTACT:
Wessel van Leeuwen, Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University
E-mail: wessel.vleeuwen@su.se Phone: +46 8 5537 8917
Twitter: @WMAvanLeeuwen
Introduction
Accurately detecting driver states (e.g. sleepiness) is
crucial if conditionally automated systems are to take
or release control over the vehicle in a functional way.
Unlike sleepiness, little is know about rest as a driver
state. How can it be detected, if at all? How
recuperative can it be? Here, we describe the results of
pilots studies aiming to define rest in terms of different
outcome variables.
Method
A total of 22 truck drivers participated. Periods of prolonged rest (>45 minutes) were integrated in both a real driving scenario as well
as a simulated driving scenario. Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and electroencephalography (EEG) were continuously
recorded. Sleepiness (KSS), stress ratings, and reaction time were obtained every 5 minutes while driving. At the start and end of the
drive, a 5-minute psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) was carried out.
Results
During the first 40 minutes of the drive rest was obtained in the rest group (red line). The drive
group (blue line) drove continuously during the entire drive.
Sleepiness Stress (1-9 scale) Minor lapses Reaction time (ms)
FUNDING:
EU H2020 grant ID 688900
www.adasandme.com
Heart rate LF-power (n.u.) HF-power (n.u.) LF/HF-ratio
(nn-interval)