The Australian trucking industry is a vital part of the economy. Many of the goods we consume from groceries, clothing to medicine are transported on a truck. Everyday. Without trucks, life as we know it would quite literally come to a complete standstill. An industry this vital is facing some critical issues. A shortage in skilled drivers and tight operating margins are the most significant. In this article we’ll explore how artificial intelligence, specifically advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) & driver monitoring systems (DMS) can address these issues.
Shortage of Skilled Drivers:
I know what you are thinking. Just replace drivers with autonomous, self-driving trucks. Problem solved. No. This article is not about one or the other. It’s about how technology can enhance the industry. It’s a fair assumption to associate AI with the replacement of drivers. In some industries this has already occurred. Australia is the global leader in autonomous trucks. Over 500 are in use today on mining sites across the country. For remote, highly controlled work sites, autonomous vehicles make sense. Miners can reduce human errors and improve efficiency transporting minerals. But for navigating high traffic, urban environments, autonomous trucks aren’t quite ready yet. Trials are currently underway that utilise leader-follow autonomous systems (LFA). LFAs require a lead vehicle manually operated by a human which can be followed by one or more autonomous trucks.
Utilising ADAS & DMS:
So how can AI alleviate the shortage of skilled drivers? The focus here is on the skilled part. Two applications of AI: advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and driver monitoring systems (DMS) can help. ADAS technology is not new. For light passenger vehicles, many now come standard as part of OEM. For heavy vehicles such as trucks, aftermarket products are still prevalent. Mobileye has been a leader in ADAS for over 20 years. The collision avoidance system uses computer vision to ‘see’ the road ahead, monitoring for potential collisions. Mobileye will send an immediate visual and audio alert visual to the driver if there is a risk of a collision with another car, pedestrian & cyclists, lane departures and even tailgating. For inexperienced truckies, this technology is vital in preventing serious incidents and even fatalities. While Mobileye watches the road, Cipia can focus on the driver. The driver monitoring system is powered by cutting-edge AI algorithms that detects fatigue, distractions and other actions that contribute to road incidents. 24/7. When a fatigue incident is detected (such as drowsiness), Cipia will send an immediate visual, audio and vibration (seatbelt or seat) alert. The thresholds for alerts can be fully customised by a fleet manager so false positives are kept to a minimum.
ADAS & DMS’ Impact on Driver Behaviour:
ADAS and DMS technology are great for reducing the risk of collisions or actions that lead to collisions. However, the systems can also work together to create a lasting, long term impact. For example, standard telemetry data can provide instances of harsh braking and acceleration. This alone is not always helpful. When combining telemetry data with ADAS events from Mobileye such as forward collision and headway monitoring warnings, a fleet manager has a clearer idea of actual driver behaviour. How about consistent incidents of laneway departures? Analysing Cipia’s distraction or drowsy events can pin point what caused the driver to deviate from their lane.
The data from events captured by Mobileye and Cipia can be integrated and viewed in a fleet management system like FleetHQ. Data points now become powerful insights for fleet managers to up-skill or educate drivers. They may have identified skill gaps in operating a vehicle or deliberate unsafe behaviour. Investment in the development of drivers can also have a positive impact on retention rate.
Safe Driving Reduces Costs:
Collision avoidance and fatigue detection technology can directly affect a fleet’s bottom line. The immediate alerts could prevent a serious road incident. This can drive down repair costs and loss of income from ruined goods. Trucks that are off the road seriously threaten smaller operators. The wild weather Australia has experienced this year is already limiting the routes of fleets in part of the country. In the long term ADAS and DMS can even be used to reduce insurance premiums.
Through the integration of advanced AI technology such as advanced driver assistance systems and driver monitoring systems, the Australian trucking industry can navigate its challenges, ensuring smoother operations and safer roads for all.