AI-based system to alert dozy drivers in govt buses
Chennai: To curb accidents caused by inattentive driving, Tamil Nadu will soon install Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) in 500 public buses under a 2 crore contract. The system detects warning signs such as sleepiness, distraction, and cognitive fatigue by analysing subtle facial and behavioural patterns.
Each device combines an infrared camera, mounted on the A-pillar, dashboard, or windshield, a high-speed image processor, and a sensor-based electronic control unit (ECU) that tracks gaze, eyelid movement, and head tilt in real time. The setup identifies early indicators—slow blink rates, yawns, drooping posture—without relying on ambient light, thanks to an IR range of up to three metres, said Shyamala, Director, Institute of Road Transport, which will oversee the installation likely to be completed by the end of this year.
The control unit uses machine learning (a field within AI) to detect brief inattention and signs of fatigue or intoxication, triggering audio or visual alerts based on head droops or unfocused gaze.
In parallel with the deployment of DMS, the state transport department will also equip govt buses with 360-degree camera surveillance systems. Each bus will get four cameras—mounted at the front, rear, and sides—to ensure full coverage of the interior and surrounding traffic for enhanced security.
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Video is captured at 1080p resolution and logged to internal memory and can assist in resolving accident disputes or passenger complaints.
Officials say the system can also assist police in identifying whether suspects crossed paths with a bus during its route, aiding investigations with time-stamped footage.
However, activists point out that maintenance has been a persistent issue.
"Several older CCTV units installed under the Nirbhaya fund remain non-functional, with no effort from depots to repair or replace them," said S Kamal, a transportation activist. The new low-floor buses lack pre-installed cameras.
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