Aims and activities |
 |
The activities of the AMCoNet are diverse and all serve the aim to reduce fatigue in road transport.
Background
The network of competence "Fatigue in Transportation - Alertness Management" is devoted to the problem of fatigue in road traffic. It is a regional association of experts in transportation research from universities, industry, large research centres and federal institutions.
Approaches to the problem of fatigue in road transport
To prevent or at least reduce accidents resulting from fatigue,
experts from different areas have to cooperate. On the one hand, the mechanisms influencing and the characteristics
of fatigue have to be investigated by researchers. Second, technical approaches to prevent fatigue may be realized
in cooperation with economic enterprises. One example is the implementation of fatigue-detecting devices in cars. Finally,
decision-makers from politics have to be involved, because knowledge on fatigue may be implemented in appropriate regulations,
e.g. concerning hours of service.
Target groups
1) researcher and students who want to find out more about fatigue,
2) persons in key positions of industry, politics and administration,
3) media.
Main purposes of the network
Coordination
The network is coordinated by Stefan
Rothermel and Dr. Alexander
Gundel
from
the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Institute for Aerospace Medicine, Transport Safety, in Cologne, Germany, in
cooperation with Dr. Schulze at the
Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt).
Activities
The activities of the network-members can be assigned to different categories:
Medical Screening includes the assessment of fatigue-related
health problems in employees on a scheduled basis by means of appropriate medical equipment.
Accident Analysis involves the thorough investigation
of the internal and environmental factors increasing the probability of accidents.
Fatigue Prediction can be realized by means of computer programmes modeling
the determinants of fatigue.
Driver Assistance Systems serve the function to prevent
fatigue-related accidents by means of technical devices that give a warning signal in case fatigue arises (e.g. cameras recording eye-movements).
Fitness for Duty can be checked by means of tests applied before the
start of duty which give information about the physiological and psychological status of the driver and his or per preparedness to drive.
Finally, Alertness Management Training involves education and training
of drivers and schedulers regarding causes of fatigue, individual fatigue signs, and appropriate countermeasures.
