Abstract. The oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) natural fibres were comprehensively reviewed to assess their potential as reinforcing materials in polymer composites for energy absorption during low-velocity impact. The typical oil palm wastes include trunks, fronds, kernel shells, and empty fruit bunches. This has a tendency to burden the industry players with disposal difficulties and escalates the operating cost. Thus, there are several initiatives have been employed to convert these wastes into value added products. The objective of this study is to review the potential of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) as natural fibre polymer composite reinforcement to absorb the energy during low-velocity impact as another option for value added products. Initially, this paper reviewed the local oil palm waste issues. Previous research works on OPEFB polymer composite, and their mechanical characterization is appraised. Their potential for energy absorption in low-velocity impact application was also elaborated. The review suggests high potential applications of OPEFB as reinforcing materials in composite structures. Furthermore, it is wisely to utilize the oil palm biomass waste into a beneficial composite, hence, promotes the green environment.

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Several factors may contribute to occurrence of road accidents which are human factors, vehicle factor, road factor and environmental factor. There has been recent evidence of a relationship between road accidents and emotional distress as well as fatigue. Monotonous and complex road environments are the road factor that relates to the internal factor within driver. The overall aim of this study was to compare driving stress, fatigue and driving error between complex and monotonous driving. This experimental study was carried out to measure the stress level, fatigue status and driving performance among hundred male drivers (20-59 years) with driving experience more than one year. Cortisol concentration from respondents' saliva was obtained to measure the stress level due to the driving test. Cortisols were measured using Salimetrics cortisol Enzyme Immunoassay kit (ELISA). Fatigue status was measured by using EEG test to the respondents while conducted the simulator driving test. Driving performance was measured based on the recorded data of Running-of-the Roads (RORI) and Large Speed Variation (LSV) index from the simulator system. This study found that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) between cortisol levels, EEG value and driving errors of monotonous and complex driving. Salivary cortisol level was found higher during monotonous driving compared to complex driving. Theta wave which indicates sleepy and fatigue condition was found higher on monotonous driving compared to other brainwaves which is alpha and beta state. RORI and LSV index was higher recorded during driving in complex road environments. The main implications of this study for road safety shows that monotonous driving had significantly induced driving stress and fatigue while complex driving lead to higher driving errors. Human factors and road factors could possibly put drivers in a higher risk to be involved in road accidents.