Fatigue and workload in short and long-haul train driving.
BACKGROUND
Little has been investigated regarding the role of shift schedule on fatigue and workload among Iranian train drivers.


OBJECTIVE
This study sought to compare train drivers' fatigue and workload between a long-haul and a short-haul train trips.


METHODS
One-hundred train drivers, in two routes of Tehran-Mashhad (long-haul) and Tehran-Semnan (short-haul), were asked to complete the Samn-Perelli Fatigue Scale prior to departure, immediately after ending driving duty on the way going, and immediately after ending driving on the way back. Moreover, they were asked to complete NASA-TLX at the end of their shift.


RESULTS
Accordingly, understudy train drivers stated relatively similar levels of fatigue and workload for the two trips. Furthermore, fatigue scores were significantly higher at the end of shifts in both routes.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, train drivers in long-haul trips had longer rest hours between the ways going and coming back, which seems to compensate for the side effects of longer driving durations.
Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Zeinab
Z
Kazemi
Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Adel
A
Mazloumi
Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Gabraeil
G
Nasl Saraji
Iran Railway Research Center, Tehran, Iran.
Sedighe
S
Barideh
D000328:Adult; D005221:Fatigue; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011890:Railroads; D013997:Time Factors; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D016526:Workload; D055815:Young Adult
NASA-TLX; Railway industry; Samn-Perelli Fatigue Scale; work hours