Measurement of Physical and Mental Workload in Onlline Ojek Drivers: A Case Study in Serang City

Kusmasari, Wyke; Mahirah, Alifia; Nalhadi, Ahmad · 2024 · Crossref

DOI: 10.33438/ijdshs.1409225

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Summary

This study investigates the physical and mental workload of online motorcycle taxi drivers in Serang City, Indonesia, motivated by the rapid growth of ride-hailing services and associated health risks, including fatigue-related accidents. The research aims to quantify these workloads to inform ergonomic improvements and operational policies. The study was conducted with 10 online motorcycle taxi drivers who were observed and monitored during their working hours. Data collection involved measuring heart rate using a Polar H10 device for 90-minute work sessions, analyzing Heart Rate Variability (HRV) via Kubios software to calculate Cardiovascular Load (CVL), and administering the NASA-TLX questionnaire to assess mental workload. Additionally, the Borg Scale (CR-10) was used to subjectively rate physical fatigue intensity before and after work periods. Demographic data, including age, smoking habits, and caffeine consumption, were also recorded. The results indicate that the average CVL percentage was 40.08% (with a secondary calculation in the discussion citing 42.02%), placing the physical workload in a category requiring improvement, though not urgent. Nine out of ten respondents experienced physical fatigue. The average NASA-TLX score was 74.20, classified as high mental workload, with the highest contributing factors being mental demand and physical demand. Borg scale assessments confirmed a consistent increase in perceived physical fatigue throughout the work period. The study also noted that drivers who carried passengers reported higher fatigue levels than those delivering food, likely due to variable passenger weights and uncertain travel distances. The authors propose several interventions to mitigate these workloads. These include implementing 90-minute break periods, redesigning automatic motorcycles with extra footrests to reduce leg fatigue, using energy sprays to combat drowsiness, and deploying road congestion detection tools to reduce mental strain. Enhancing the quality of ride-hailing applications and minimizing exposure to heat stress are also recommended. The study concludes that both physical and mental workloads are significant concerns for online motorcycle taxi drivers, with mental fatigue exacerbated by competitive market pressures and low customer volumes. The findings suggest that stakeholders must address both physical ergonomics and mental stressors to improve driver performance and safety. Further research is needed to develop comprehensive work structures that effectively reduce these dual burdens.

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Topics

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• workload measurement
• stress driving
• mental demand

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: physiological data, self report data
• Theoretical Contribution: theory or model