The sleep and performance of train drivers during an extended freight-haul operation.
The sleep and performance of train drivers was monitored across a 106-h rail operation between the Australian cities of Adelaide and Perth. The drivers worked alternating 8-h shift rotations across the operation and rested in specially equipped, crew-van carriages during non-work periods. The crew-van rest opportunities were associated with shorter bedtime spans, less total sleep time, and poorer sleep efficiency than sleeps initiated at home. The duration of crew-van sleeps was primarily dependent on the time of day at which the rest opportunities occurred. Overall, drivers incurred a significant cumulative sleep loss across the duration of the operation. Despite the deficit, drivers were able to sustain vigilance performance across the operation.
Darwent
David
D
Centre for Sleep Research, University of South Australia, Level 7, Playford Building, City East Campus, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. david.darwent@unisa.edu.au <david.darwent@unisa.edu.au>
Lamond
Nicole
N
Dawson
Drew
D
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D004526:Efficiency; D005221:Fatigue; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011890:Railroads; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012892:Sleep Deprivation; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology*; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*