Driver Fatigue and the Vehicle Control Interface during long distance rallies

It is assumed that the interaction between a vehicle and its driver alters as that driver becomes fatigued. Using long distance rally driving as its context, this study based upon the analysis of in-car video recordings, investigates the changes in driver movement patterns over many hours at the wheel and draws conclusions as to the changing relationship between driver and the vehicle control interface (VCI).
In a rally car there is the additional factor over a road car of a co-driver from whom the driver receives instructions as to the vehicle’s required direction and speed.

Video capture reveals that as time at the wheel accumulates and the driver becomes fatigued essential actions are seemingly increasingly prioritised over inessential actions. Fewer inessential movements of the driver’s head and limbs are evident as fatigue builds up. Eventually only the essential actions needed to keep the vehicle on course are undertaken by the driver. In a rally driving situation where driver and codriver are both trained and experienced this prioritisation can result in the enhancing of concentration and an improvement in competitive result. It is concluded that this study offers reinforcing evidence for the location and prioritisation of major and minor items within the VCI.

Submitted for and published within an internal symposium at Coventry University 2011