Road freight transport driver fatique test: A pilot study

Abstract

Road freight transport is one of the main modes of transporting goods in the European Union. This reality puts pressure on carriers to make every transport of goods fast, safe, cheap, and efficient. Based on these requirements, lorry drivers are often forced by their employers to break the current social legislation in the European Union and the rules of the road. Compared to the current social legislation in force in different parts of the world, the European Union rules on driving times, breaks and rest periods for drivers engaged in road haulage and passenger transport are the strictest. An important factor and reason of serious and fatal traffic accidents, extensive damage to goods or property in road freight transport is a driver. This article presents three different types of experiments that were carried out, and the results may help to improve the current situation. The main aim of this study was to verify whether the actual regulations are safe and suitable and compare the results of daily work of professional drivers in two different measurements. Last measurement was conducted with using Eye-tacking technology, which aimed to verify impact of experiences on the reaction times of drivers. The authors believe that the results of individual measurements can contribute to increasing safety in road freight transport with preparing future extended studies and proposing the possible changes of current regulation.