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How IoT Supports Driver Safety

6 minute read

We've seen how these benefits can make everyday driving safer, but they can really make a difference in fleet operations. According to recent statistics, 20% of fleets are involved in an accident each year. IoT, combined with video and Artificial Intelligence (AI), can help reduce those numbers.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

Today, vehicles can be equipped with sensors that monitor potentially risky manoeuvres like lane changes and reversing. These are called Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

ADAS is more than just a monitor: it is a system that unites several different aspects of driving. The first aspect is driver intention. How good would a monitoring system be if it didn't understand what a driver was doing? It wouldn't just be bad — it would be disastrous. The second aspect is traffic and road conditions. Drivers are constantly watching the road for changing conditions, but they can miss sudden movements. That's where ADAS comes in. The third aspect is interference algorithms. ADAS knows when it is appropriate to interfere. For example, it can detect when the driver is accelerating too quickly behind another car and deploy the brakes.

ADAS is already increasing safety by helping to reduce the number of vehicle crashes. However, ADAS can be especially useful for fleets when combined with a telematics platform. While ADAS unites several different aspects of driving during an individual trip, telematics platforms can unite incoming information from ADAS. This information is crucial for fleet managers to better understand their drivers' behaviour. If there are any trends of risky driving behaviours, fleet managers can target driver safety training programs accordingly.

Video Telematics for Driver Behaviours

Video telematics is also a key component of creating informed programs for driver safety. AI-driven technology like eye movement monitoring can detect when drivers start to nod off or get distracted. If drivers are distracted or engaging in unsafe driving behaviour, an alert can notify them to correct the course. Fleet managers can also be notified of these instances and take necessary steps to promote the safest protocols.

Video telematics solutions, in particular, are already producing successful results. For example, one consulting firm estimated vehicle video solutions can lead to an 80% reduction in driver distraction and a 60% reduction in vehicle collisions.

The Future of Connected Communication

Transportation professionals now have access to more safety data than ever before. All this information could revolutionise logistics, but only if fleets have the tools to understand it. IoT helps fleet managers accomplish both of these key aspects.

Telematics platforms can keep managers informed about how new safety technologies are performing. For example, how are KPIs trending since introducing a new safety feature? Have there been fewer or less severe accidents? Which factors lead to the most incidents — hard braking, speeding, or distraction, for example? A telematics platform can give managers the answers to these questions.

The future of logistics and transportation is a connected one. Telematics, AI, and ADAS technology open up opportunities for vehicle communication networks. These networks can increase safety for everyone on the road: vehicles, drivers, and even pedestrians.

Types of Vehicle Communication Supported by IoT

  • Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V): This type of network allows vehicles to send wireless messages to each other with information on speed, location, and direction. The NHTSA estimates that V2V technology could prevent 615,000 crashes. V2V communication is not just for cars and trucks, either. Buses, motorcycles, and potentially even bikes can benefit from a V2V network.
  • Vehicle-to-network (V2N): Vehicle to network communication allows vehicles to communicate via cellular networks. Similar to cell phones, vehicles could communicate with data centers and other Internet-connected devices.
  • Vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I): This network exchanges information between vehicles and road infrastructure. Smart sensors in road infrastructure, like traffic lights and road signs, would provide updated information about road conditions. V2I is especially designed to enhance road safety and prevent accidents.

IoT Facilitates Safety Solutions

As companies continue to adopt IoT solutions, their safety benefits will continue to increase. 
KORE Fleet is an expert in transportation safety solutions for fleets. With solutions specifically targeted at increasing and maintaining driver safety, KORE can help companies of all sizes achieve safe, efficient standards for their fleets and drivers.

Learn more about how KORE Fleet solutions can support driver safety, as well as mitigate rising insurance costs in our latest webinar: "Where AI & IoT Meet for Fleet: Innovations for Risk Mitigation".

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Topic(s): eSIM , Connectivity , Fleet , Featured

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