Unobtrusive, Camera-Based Fatigue Detection During an Overnight Simulated Flight: A Two-Phase Calibration and Validation Study

Introduction: In shiftwork operations, including aviation, night work and other schedule demands can contribute to increased fatigue, which is associated with performance impairment. Standard fatigue assessments use either subjective, performance-based, or physiological measures, however, their utility can be hindered by a need for repeated assessments to track changes over time, report bias in the case of self-report measures, interference with work tasks, and other confounds and constraints. To help detect and manage fatigue, there is need for an unobtrusive system with continuous monitoring of fatigue that reliably tracks performance impairment. A camera-based, face- and eye- tracking system has been developed for this purpose (FOVIO Driver Monitoring System, Seeing Machines). An independent validation of this system was conducted against a standard, objective fatigue measure within a simulated nighttime flight operation setting.