Driver behaviour profiling using dynamic Bayesian network

In the recent past, there has been a rapid increase in the number of vehicles and diversification of road networks worldwide. The biggest challenge now lies on how to monitor and analyse behaviours of vehicle drivers as a catalyst to road safety. Driver behaviour depends on the state and nature of the road, the state of the driver, vehicle conditions, and actions of other road users among other factors. This paper illustrates the ability of Dynamic Bayesian Networks towards determination of driving styles with respect to acceleration, cornering and braking patterns. Bayesian Networks are probabilistic graphical models that map a set of variables and their conditional dependencies. Sample test results showed that the 2-Time-slice Bayesian Network model is suitable for generation of driver profiles using only four GPS data parameters namely speed, altitude, direction and signal strength against time. The model classifies driver profiles into two sets of observations: driver behaviour and nature of operational environment. Adoption of the model could offer a cost effective, easy to implement and use solution that could find many applications in vehicle driver recruiting firms, vehicle insurance companies and transport and road safety authorities among other sectors.