Fatigue factors affecting metropolitan bus drivers: A qualitative investigation

Abstract

Metropolitan bus drivers daily face work in a stressful and draining work environment, exposing them to the serious risk of driver fatigue. However, there has been a dearth of information exploring the unique antecedents and effects of such fatigue. To date, much of the research into metropolitan bus drivers has been under the umbrella of large heavy vehicle driving studies, which include a disproportionally large population of long-haul drivers, who are likely to face a significantly different set of fatigue factors [1]. The present study aimed to investigate which work and environmental factors may cause fatigue in metropolitan bus drivers by seeking drivers' own perspectives on the issues. To this end, focus groups were held at five bus depots in Sydney and Newcastle, with an effort made to include a stratified sample of drivers at each. Each of the groups were invited to nominate what factors they felt were most salient, with a number of common factors emerging across the depots. Key themes identified were: support from management; ticketing and related issues; interaction with passengers; cabin ergonomics; tight route schedules; turn-around and shift irregularity; extended shift cycles; interactions with other road users; and extended commute times.

Work-related stress and role of personality in a sample of Italian bus drivers

“…The mean scores of perceived stress (PSS-10) obtained in out cohort are comparable with data from similar studies in samples of drivers in other countries and can be considered quite low [23,[27][28][29]. Regarding the scores of questionnaires investigating personality traits (EPQ-R and IVE) and stress perception during driving (DSI), our data is also comparable with similar studies.…”

Work Environment, Stress, and Driving Anger: A Structural Equation Model for Predicting Traffic Sanctions of Public Transport Drivers

“…Vehicle operators in the transport sector industry may belong to the occupational group with the highest prevalence of job stress rates [ 4 , 5 ], and many environmental variables associated with the job of professional drivers, especially those working in the field of public transportation, have been addressed by different studies as typically adverse [ 6 , 7 ]. Several factors such as continuous time pressure, excessive physical demands, environmental overstimulation, problematic interactions with other road users, lack of social support at work, and irregular shifts [ 8 , 9 ] have been characterized as potential stress-related factors, which at the same time enhance the potential occurrence of negative outcomes in terms of health, safety, and performance [ 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”

Work hours, weight status, and weight-related behaviors: a study of metro transit workers

“…Long and irregular hours are common, creating difficulties for family meals [23], constraining time available for meal preparation and exercise [22], and potentially limiting access to healthy foods [26]. While previous research has examined associations between long work hours and outcomes such as back and neck pain [27], occupational fatigue [28,29], and psychological health [30] in transportation workers little to no research has examined associations with weight and weight-related behaviors in this occupational group. The present study examined associations between work hours and behavioral variables and among men and women as prior research has identified gender differences between work hours, health behaviors and obesity [7,9,31].…”