The shaking can 'sleep' the driver only 15 minutes after driving

Natural vibrations during vehicle movements make the driver sleepier. Only 15 minutes after driving, the driver's concentration and alertness will be affected.

This observation, pointed out by RMIT University scientists (Australia) in studies of the effect of shaking affects driver drowsiness.

One in five Australians has a sleepover on the steering wheel

Statistics in Australia show that about 20% of fatal traffic accidents are caused by tired drivers. Researchers hope car manufacturers can use the team's results to improve seating design to help drivers get awake.

Research by RMIT University scientists showed only 15 minutes after starting driving.

Professor Stephen Robinson said the effects of physical shaking on the driver are not well understood, although there is growing evidence that shaking contributes to the feeling of sleepiness.

Professor Robinson said: 'We know one in five Australians sleeps on the steering wheel, and this is a serious problem with traffic safety. When you are tired, you can easily start nodding, and we find that slight vibrations from the seat when you drive can lull your mind and body. '

The study showed stable vibrations at low frequencies - the kind of vibration people experience when driving cars and trucks - slowly leading to sleepiness, even for those who are fully rested and healthy.

15 minutes after getting into the car, sleepiness started to come. Half an hour later, the driver's concentration and alertness will be seriously affected. To improve traffic safety, scientists hope that future seat designs may include features that help combat this sleepy effect and combat sleepiness caused by shaking.

Sleepiness can peak after 60 minutes of driving

The research team, led by Associate Professor Mohammad Fard and RMIT University Professor Stephen Robinson, experimented with 15 volunteers on a virtual activity that simulated a regular driving experience on a two-lane highway.

Volunteers will sit in the simulated chamber with different shaking frequencies and be tested twice: once at low frequencies (4 to 7 Hz) and once without vibration.

Professors Stephen Robinson (left) and PGS Mohammad Fard are the authors of vehicle vibrations.

Fatigue caused by shaking when moving makes it more difficult for the mind and body to perform brain activities, so the body's nervous system begins to regulate itself, causing the heart rate to change.

By considering the heart rate variability (HRV) of volunteers, researchers can get an objective measurement of how volunteers feel sleepy during a drag test. 60 minutes long.

Within 15 minutes after the vibration experiment started, the volunteers showed signs of sleepiness. Within 30 minutes, drowsiness is significant, requiring participants to make great efforts to maintain alertness and cognitive ability.

Associate Professor Mohammad Fard said that based on the results of this study, further research is needed and how vibrations affect different groups of people.

The research group was on a larger group, specifically studying how age can affect sleepiness due to shaking, as well as the effects of health problems like.

Research has also shown that vibrations in some frequencies may have the opposite effect and help people stay awake. Therefore, the group also wanted to study a wider frequency range, to show vehicle designs that could exploit these "good vibrations" .

The driving simulation model, designed and developed by RMIT University, is believed to be the only model in Australia, capable of accurately reproducing the vibrations caused by driving on properly paved roads.

Multi-axis vibration simulator uses servo-driven hydraulic system, with road vibrations synchronized with the driving simulator, so volunteers participate in real driving conditions as in 'reality'.