Effective Road Safety Control for Authorized Company Vehicle Drivers: How to Improve Safety on Russian Roads

Transport Safety Control: From Intuition to Video Analytics

The implementation of digital solutions in transport safety management is becoming not just a trend, but a vital necessity for large industrial companies. When hundreds of fuel trucks and company vehicles are on the roads every day, relying solely on instructions and driver conscientiousness is not enough. Pavel Lutchenko, Head of the Civil Defense and Emergency Situations Industrial and Transport Safety Center at Gazpromneft-Terminal, shares practical experience in implementing a video analytics system that allowed shifting driver behavior control to real-time mode.

The speaker analyzes the project's prerequisites: an analysis of traffic accidents showed that the vast majority of incidents are related to the human factor. Incorrect actions behind the wheel, fatigue, distraction — all this required a systematic approach and automated control that does not depend on subjective assessments.

How the Video Analytics System Works: Tracking Critical Violations

The presentation details the functionality of the implemented system. The equipment includes external and internal cameras, as well as a module with embedded artificial intelligence algorithms. The external camera monitors the traffic situation: lane departure, dangerous proximity to the vehicle ahead, and the appearance of pedestrians, warning the driver with sound signals.

The internal camera analyzes the behavior of the driver themselves. The speaker shows by example how the system records:

• Distraction: using a mobile phone (including watching videos), extraneous actions while driving (e.g., tying shoelaces). This is critically important, as with a loss of concentration, the driver does not have time to react to changes in the traffic situation.
• Drowsiness (fatigue): the system recognizes signs of falling asleep, which is especially relevant for night shifts. Combating sleep at the wheel is a priority task to prevent severe accidents involving driving into the oncoming lane.
• Failure to use a seat belt: a basic violation that significantly increases the risk of injury in an accident.
• Camera sabotage: attempts to cover the lens or turn the camera away are immediately recorded by the system, sending a signal to the dispatcher.

Overcoming Resistance and Scaling the Project

The introduction of total control expectedly faced resistance from both drivers and line managers. The speaker notes that real cases helped turn the tide: video recordings repeatedly proved the innocence of the company's drivers in disputed accidents, protecting them from unfounded accusations. Understanding that the system works to protect the employee became a key factor in adopting the technology.

The project is scaling: in addition to its own fleet of fuel trucks and company passenger cars (where, by the way, the problem of transporting children without car seats was revealed), the requirements for installing video analytics are being extended to the transport of contracting organizations. This is a strategic step towards improving overall road safety.

Prospects: Creating a 24/7 Dispatch Center

Data analysis showed a colossal number of violations at the initial stage (up to 2,500 events per day). Currently, the system sends 10-second videos of violations by email to responsible persons. However, the reaction occurs after the fact. To solve this problem, it is planned to create a 24/7 dispatch center. Operators will be able to respond to critical incidents (e.g., falling asleep) online, contacting the driver or their manager to immediately prevent an accident.

What You Will Learn from This Webinar:

• Which driver behavior parameters are most effectively monitored using video analytics?
• How to overcome staff negativity when implementing total control systems in the cabin?
• How to organize the accreditation of video analytics service providers and avoid low-quality equipment?
• How to control the work and rest schedule of contractor drivers?
• What are the real costs of equipping a fleet with video analytics systems?