Effect of Split Condition and Driving Duration on Fatigue Based on Changes in Brain Wave Signals when Driving a Train Simulator

Abstract

One of the causes of train accidents is driver fatigue. Train driver fatigue can be caused by sleep factors, known as split sleep. This study aims to assess the impact of split sleep on train driver fatigue. A total of 12 male participants were asked to drive a train simulator for 2.5 hours after facing two sleep conditions, namely split sleep and baseline. The split sleep condition required participants to sleep in two segments at 05.00-10.00 and 12.00-15.00, while the baseline condition was conducted in one segment at 21.00-05.00. Fatigue was measured based on changes in brain wave signals via electroencephalogram (EEG) and Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory (SOFI). Fatigue measurements with EEG were conducted at the 10-minute start and end of the simulation, while fatigue measurements with SOFI were conducted before and after the simulation. The results of this study showed a higher level of subjective fatigue in split sleep compared to the baseline. However, the EEG signal change data and other dimensions of SOFI dimensions showed no difference between the two sleep states. Another result was an increase in fatigue after simulation in all dimensions of the SOFI. Therefore, split sleep should not be applied by drivers because it can increase subjective fatigue. However, if split sleep needs to be applied, it is necessary to fulfill sleep quantity (7-9 hours) and improve sleep quality. In addition, the company also needs to ensure that the train driver are awake at least 15 minutes.