A1 Journal article (refereed)
Are long-haul truck drivers unusually alert? : a comparison with long-haul airline pilots (2020)
Sallinen, M., Pylkkönen, M., Puttonen, S., Sihvola, M., & Åkerstedt, T. (2020). Are long-haul truck drivers unusually alert? : a comparison with long-haul airline pilots. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 137, Article 105442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2020.105442
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Sallinen, Mikael; Pylkkönen, Mia; Puttonen, Sampsa; Sihvola, Maria; Åkerstedt, Torbjörn
Journal or series: Accident Analysis and Prevention
ISSN: 0001-4575
eISSN: 1879-2057
Publication year: 2020
Volume: 137
Article number: 105442
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2020.105442
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Abstract
Recent studies suggest heavy vehicle drivers self-estimate their sleepiness unexpectedly low during night duties. The present study compared sleepiness ratings of long-haul truck drivers with those of long-haul airline pilots during night and non-night duties. In addition, the correspondence between self-rated manifest and predicted latent sleepiness was examined in the two groups.
Methods
Twenty-two drivers and 33 pilots participated. Their working hours, sleep, on-duty sleepiness, and use of sleepiness countermeasures were measured in naturalistic conditions. Predictions of latent sleepiness were based on the measurements of working hours and sleep using the Sleep/Wake Predictor modelling tool.
Results
Drivers rated lower levels of sleepiness than pilots during both duty types, though predicted latent sleepiness levels were very similar among the two groups. Neither the results of sleep nor those of sleepiness countermeasures explained the difference in self-rated sleepiness.
Discussion
The results raise the possibility that long-haul truck drivers are actually sleepier than they report, and thus are at an increased risk for not responding to sleepiness in a timely manner. A potential explanation for this behavior is lack of education and training on sleepiness among truck drivers as compared with airline pilots. Alternatively, long-haul truck drivers may be exceptionally tolerant to soporific working conditions. The first reported results do not, however, support this hypothesis.
Keywords: chauffeurs; trailer lorry drivers; air pilots; working hours; night work; alertness; fatigue (biological phenomena); self-evaluation
Free keywords: professional drivers; working hours; sleepiness; road transportation; commercial aviation
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2020
JUFO rating: 2
