Traditionally in transportation safety, 4E’s are emphasized. Engineering (highway and transportation engineering), Emergency Care, Enforcement and Education are the 4E’s. However, according to (MoRTH, 2017), 77% of the accidents in 2016 were due to driver error. This lays the requirement for having a 5th E that can bridge and optimize the 4Es to be effective. This component that we believe is a key requirement to address the human element or the 5th E, Empathy (Human Factors).
According to (MoRTH, 2017), 77% of the accidents in 2016 were due to driver error. RBG lab has been the pioneer in looking at the human element by objective measure, a major shift from the traditional subjective assessment. A large number of studies have been performed by RBG Lab to quantify driver fatigue based on objective measurements of driver’s performance, health, and Behavioural changes. Some simple tools have also been developed by the lab to perform quick subjective studies to have an effective and usable outcome. As a natural progression, RBG lab is working towards identifying essential stakeholders to translate the developments to results on the road.
Some of the technologies that were patented have been transferred to industries that have launched products, such as Intelliseat™. An important dimension to reduce accidents is to work with other stakeholders, i.e., the transportation dept, in enforcement, engineering, emergency care, and education.
