ASSESSMENT OF DRIVER’S THERMAL COMFORT THROUGH FACIAL THERMAL INFRARED IMAGING

Among the principal causes of road accidents, that provoke thousands of deaths every year, there are driver’s drowsiness and distraction. In order to reduce the risks of accidents caused by these two psychophysiological conditions, this study has the purpose to develop a model able to predict the thermal comfort requirements of the subject inside a vehicle, exploiting thermal facial infrared imaging, in such a way to obtain the automatization of the heating ventilation air conditioner (HVAC) system functioning. The facial temperature patterns, extracted by an infrared (IR) thermo-camera, have been studied, analyzed, and then compared in time with the individual’s thermal sensations expressed during the experiments in order to be able to recognize a possible relationship, that would allow a complete automatized functioning of the HVAC system to the individual’s thermal requirements. In this way, thermal comfort would be ensured continuously to the vehicle’s occupants, gaining a better driving experience, reducing the fatigue and driver stress.