Mining Contract: Machine Learning Models that Blend Subjective and Objective Data to Improve Understanding and Management of Operator Fatigue

Keywords: Computer simulation Emotional stress

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Contract #	75D30119C05500
Start Date	9/1/2019
End Date	6/16/2022
Research Concept	Despite numerous previous interventions and significant advances to improve monitoring of haul truck operators' fatigue levels, effective fatigue management continues to be a persistent issue for mining organizations. Fatigue in mines needs to be better understood, modeled, and systematically managed. Technology exists that measures potential indications of fatigue (cameras, cognitive tasks, etc.) as they happen; however, these tools do not offer information upon which decision makers can rely to address fatigue at or before the time it occurs in the field. Additionally, as modern mines become increasingly automated (or semi-automated), decreased operator engagement could lead to more fatigue with an even larger impact on operations.

Contract Status & Impact

This contract is complete. To receive a copy of the final report, send a request to mining@cdc.gov.

In addition to training a number of master of science and PhD students in identifying and mitigating mining hazards, this capacity-building contract will take a systematic, comprehensive approach to improve understanding of how to identify and reduce fatigue events in operators and how to implement a sustainable management program that leads to fewer and less severe incidents and accidents caused by fatigue episodes. The research will apply machine learning to model operator fatigue using production monitoring technology, survey tools, and fatigue monitoring systems. Specifically, this research will (1) Identify and develop fatigue model parameters; (2) model haul truck operator fatigue, and (3) develop fatigue management instruments.

As part of previous work, a large body of operational and fatigue monitoring data has already been acquired from a large mining operation. This data set is one of the largest and most thorough of its kind, and under this contract, researchers seek to augment it with additional data sources and expand the date ranges covered.

A critical source of new data will come from a series of focus groups which will be used to develop a survey instrument to assess fatigue-related operator issues and the participation of additional mining operations. The goal of this participatory research approach will be to better understand the human factors related to fatigue and how they can be incorporated into a machine learning and analytical model.

Next, machine learning models will be created to predict fatigue in an operation. Through analysis of these models, a set of leading indicators of operator fatigue will be determined. Lastly, a method for linking these survey tools, prediction models, and leading indicators into mine health and safety management systems and processes will be developed.

This research contract will result in the following deliverables:

Survey instruments
A fatigue prediction model for haul truck drivers
Analysis of leading indicators of fatigue
Gap analysis of a fatigue scheduling algorithm
A pilot proposal operationalizing survey and model findings