Project Goal:

The goal for this project is to deliver PVT DriveFit, a readiness assessment technology designed to assess driver alertness using a quantitative objective framework based on the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT). This is a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program project currently in Phase II of the SBIR Program. The objective of a Phase II project is to continue the R/R&D effort from a completed Phase I project.

Background:

When we are fatigued, we are impaired. Our reactions are slowed, we experience lapses of attention, become impulsive, lose situational awareness, and become prone to distraction. The greater the level of fatigue, the worse the impairment. In CMV operations, such impairment contributes to a significant number of collisions and safety critical events. Some examples of fatigue stressors in CMV operations include sleep debt, night driving, and extended time awake beyond 16 hours.

Summary:

PVT DriveFit will deliver an objective quantitative framework based on the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) to assess driver alertness and aid in fitness for duty assessments. The PVT DriveFit will incorporate the heavily validated PVT, which is the global gold standard measure of alertness and vigilant attention. Drivers will complete a three‐minute PVT on a schedule set by CMV carrier policy. When a driver scores above a set threshold indicating a potential fitness for duty concern, a workflow is triggered to address the source of the problem. For example, the driver may receive a recommendation to take a 20‐ to 30‐minute nap in the sleeper berth before returning to service.

Contractor:

Pulsar Informatics