Fatigue, sleepiness and workload in train traffic controllers

Noriega, Paulo; Nascimento, Rafael; Rebelo, Francisco; Carvalhais, José; Cotrim, Teresa; Vilar, Elisângela · 2022 · Crossref

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1001945

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

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Summary

This observational field study investigates the levels of fatigue, sleepiness, and mental workload among train traffic controllers to assess potential risks to transport system safety. The research addresses a gap in literature regarding this specific population, motivated by the critical nature of their roles in automated command centers where fatigue is a known contributor to accidents. The study aims to characterize how these factors vary across different shifts (morning, afternoon, night), control station difficulty levels, controller age groups, and consecutive days of work. The researchers collected 93 measurement series from 60 train traffic controllers (average age 45.12 years) over 15 days. Measurements were taken at three specific moments during each shift: upon arrival, mid-shift, and before departure. Fatigue was assessed using Simple Reaction Time (SRT) as an objective indicator and the Samn-Perelli Fatigue Scale (SPFS) for perceived fatigue. Sleepiness was measured using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), and mental effort was evaluated with the Rating Scale of Mental Effort (RSME). Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis tests for shift differences, Wilcoxon tests for intra-shift variations, and T-tests for age and difficulty comparisons. The results indicate that the night shift recorded the highest values for SRT variation, perceived fatigue, sleepiness, and mental effort. While absolute SRT values did not significantly differ between shifts, the night shift showed the greatest increase in reaction time from start to end, suggesting a decline in central nervous system activity. Perceived fatigue and sleepiness increased significantly during the night shift, whereas the morning shift showed increases in SRT and perceived fatigue, likely due to early wake times and immediate rush-hour demands. The afternoon shift exhibited the least pronounced effects. Controllers working in more difficult stations reported higher mental effort, and those working three or more consecutive days reported increased perceived fatigue and sleepiness. Age did not significantly affect overall metrics, though older controllers (>45 years) reported slightly lower mental effort in difficult stations, suggesting experience-based coping strategies. Despite these variations, the study concludes that fatigue, sleepiness, and mental effort remained at medium-to-low levels across all conditions, not appearing to be immediately concerning factors for safety. However, the findings highlight the night shift, morning rush hours, and consecutive workdays as periods requiring heightened surveillance. The study establishes a baseline for future research into the combined effects of demanding tasks and psychophysical states on controller performance and railway network safety.

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• truck driver fatigue
• shift work driving

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