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Monitoring eye and eyelid movements by infrared reflectance oculography to measure drowsiness in drivers

Monitoring von Augen- und Augenlid-Bewegungen mit Infrarot-Reflektionsokulographie zur Bestimmung der Schläfrigkeit bei Fahrzeugführern

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Zusammenfassung

Fragestellung:

Schläfrigkeit am Steuer ist eine Hauptursache für Autounfälle, sie kann jedoch nicht genau erfasst werden. Es wird ein neues System mit Infrarot (IR) Reflektionsokulographie beschrieben, welches mit Sensoren an einem Brillengestell die Schläfrigkeit des Fahrers kontinuierlich auf einer neuen Skala (IDS) bestimmt.

Methode:

Bei 50 Probanden wurden Augen- und Augenlid-Bewegungen gemessen, während sie Reaktionszeit-Tests im wachen und schläfrigen Zustand durchführten. Auf Parameter, die für Augenbewegungen berechnet wurden, wurde eine multiple Regression angewandt und für jede Minute berechnet. Diese diente der Entwicklung einer neuen Schläfrigkeitsskala (IDS). Wenn im Fahrsimulator von der Straße heruntergefahren wurde, war dies ein Zeichen gefährlichen Fahrens unter Schlafentzug.

Ergebnisse:

Die multiple Regression ergab eine hoch signifikante Vorhersage der Schläfrigkeit (r = 0.70; p < 0.0001). Der mittlere IDS Wert und die mittlere Reaktionszeit korrelierten unter allen Testbedingungen hoch (r = 0.70; n = 88; p < 0.001). Acht schläfrige Fahrzeugführer fuhren insgesamt 62-mal von der Straße, 61 Ereignisse konnten durch einen IDS Wert über 5 erkannt werden.

Schlussfolgerung:

Die Schläfrigkeit des Fahrers kann kontinuierlich mittels IR Reflektionsokulographie zusammen mit der neuen Schläfrigkeitsskala IDS bestimmt werden. Eine individuelle Anpassung des Verfahrens ist ebenso wenig erforderlich wie das Anlegen von Elektroden.

Summary

Question of the study

Drowsy driving is believed to be a major factor in road crashes, but currently cannot be assessed accurately. A new system of infrared (IR) reflectance oculography is described that uses transducers attached to a glasses frame to measure drivers' drowsiness continuously on a new scale (JDS). Driving in a car simulator was investigated in relation to JDS scores per minute.

Methods

Fifty volunteers had their eye and eyelid movements monitored while performing RT-tests when alert and when drowsy. Multiple regression analysis of ocular variables, measured every minute in alert and drowsy conditions, was used to establish the drowsiness scale (JDS). Driving off the road in the driving simulator was the criterion for dangerous driving by 8 sleep-deprived drivers.

Results

The regression predicting conditions was highly significant (R=0.70, p<0.0001). Mean JDS scores and mean RTs in all test conditions were highly correlated (r=0.70, n=88, p<0.001). There were 62 "off-road" events in 8 drowsy drivers, and 61 of them were preceded by JDS scores > 5.

Conclusions

It is possible to measure drivers’ drowsiness continuously by IR oculography using the new JDS scale which does not require adjustment for individuals or the attachment of electrodes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sleep Diagnostics Pty Ltd., Melbourne (VIC), Australia

    M. W. Johns, A. Tucker, R. Chapman, K. Crowley & N. Michael

  2. Sensory Neuroscience Laboratory, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne (VIC), Australia

    M. W. Johns, A. Tucker & N. Michael

  3. Dept. of Psychology, Melbourne University, Melbourne (VIC), Australia

    K. Crowley

  4. Suite 9, 150 Chestnut Street, Richmond, Melbourne (VIC), 3121, Australia

    M. W. Johns

Authors
  1. M. W. Johns
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  2. A. Tucker
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  3. R. Chapman
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  4. K. Crowley
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  5. N. Michael
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. W. Johns.

Additional information

Potentieller Interessenkonflikt: Sleep Diagnostics Pty Ltd. ist eine Forschungs- und Entwicklungsfirma, welche diese Studie durch Zahlung der Gehälter der Forscher unterstützt. Dr. Johns ist Teilhaber dieser Firma.

Potential conflict of interest statement: Sleep Diagnostics Pty Ltd is a Research and Development Company that provided financial support for this research by way of salaries for the researchers. Dr Johns is also a share holder of the company.

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Johns, M.W., Tucker, A., Chapman, R. et al. Monitoring eye and eyelid movements by infrared reflectance oculography to measure drowsiness in drivers. Somnologie 11, 234–242 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11818-007-0311-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11818-007-0311-y

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