Comparison of the total workload of local public transportation drivers with a new approach according to physical and mental workload criteria

Adar, Tuba; Kılıç Delice, Elif · 2020 · Crossref

DOI: 10.5505/pajes.2019.93609

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Summary

This study addresses the critical issue of total workload among local public transportation drivers, who face significant musculoskeletal problems and mental fatigue due to their working conditions. The authors argue that ensuring safe public transport requires identifying and reducing these workloads. The research treats total workload evaluation as a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem, motivated by the conflicting nature of mental and physical workload criteria. The primary objective is to propose a new integrated approach that simultaneously analyzes both mental and physical strains, filling a gap in the literature where such combined analyses using MCDM methods are absent. The methodology employs an integrated framework combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS). Mental workload criteria were determined using the NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), while physical workload criteria were derived from the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method, focusing on body parts subjected to continuous and repeated working positions. The study was conducted on 60 bus drivers employed by the Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality. First, the AHP method was used to determine the importance weights of the various criteria. Subsequently, the COPRAS method was applied, utilizing these weights to compare and rank the drivers based on their total workload levels. This two-step process allowed for the prioritization of criteria and the identification of drivers experiencing the highest strain. The results identified "time pressure" as the most significant criterion affecting drivers working for the metropolitan municipality. Regarding physical strain, the analysis revealed that the neck region experienced more stress than other body parts. By integrating the mental and physical assessments, the study successfully ranked the drivers according to their total workload, highlighting specific areas of high risk. The findings underscore the disproportionate impact of time pressure on mental load and the specific vulnerability of the neck to physical strain in this occupational context. The significance of this research lies in its novel application of MCDM methods to analyze total workload for drivers, combining both mental and physical dimensions. The authors conclude that this approach contributes to the literature by providing a structured method for evaluating complex workload scenarios. Furthermore, the study offers practical measures to reduce driver workload, aiming to improve health, performance, and safety in public transportation. By identifying specific high-risk criteria and body parts, the findings can guide ergonomic interventions and policy adjustments to mitigate occupational hazards for bus drivers.

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• workload measurement

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