Addressing Driver Fatigue

Using technology, we set out to find a solution that protects employees and contractors by alerting drivers when they are becoming drowsy.

We manage and maintain a vast network that can sometimes require our crews to drive long distances, leading to increased risk of drowsiness and fatigue. Following a number of incidents over the past 12 months we set out to find a solution that would protect our employees and contractors. Following a suggestion submitted through our Innovation and Research Program, Corporate Executive approved carrying out a trial using Optalert Glasses. This innovative trial will be used to determine the effectiveness of mitigating this risk using technology developed through 20 years of research and which has proven successful across a range of national transport companies.

Optalert detection technology alerts drivers when they are becoming drowsy. Glasses worn by the driver monitor eye and eyelid movement, feeding the information into an in-vehicle computer which will sound an alarm when drowsiness is detected. The trial is aimed at reducing fatigue- related driving risks and will produce data allowing our crews to operate more safely and efficiently when working on the network.

Line marking crews in our Bunbury office and heavy vehicle escort wardens are the first to adopt the 12-month trial which if successful will see the Optalert technology rolled out across the state to those directly subject to fatigue and the risk of drowsy driving.