A1 Journal article (refereed)
The self-reported causes of sleepiness in shift-working tram and truck drivers (2021)


Onninen, J., Pylkkönen, M., Hakola, T., Puttonen, S., Virkkala, J., Tolvanen, A., & Sallinen, M. (2021). The self-reported causes of sleepiness in shift-working tram and truck drivers. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 78, 153-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2021.02.004


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsOnninen, Jussi; Pylkkönen, Mia; Hakola, Tarja; Puttonen, Sampsa; Virkkala, Jussi; Tolvanen, Asko; Sallinen, Mikael

Journal or seriesTransportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

ISSN1369-8478

eISSN1873-5517

Publication year2021

Volume78

Pages range153-163

PublisherElsevier

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2021.02.004

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76295


Abstract

Identifying the causes of sleepiness in various safety-critical work environments is necessary for implementing more efficient fatigue management strategies. In transportation, little is known about drivers’ own perceptions of these causes. Therefore, we instructed shift-working tram (n = 23) and long-haul truck drivers (n = 52) to report at the end of their shifts what made them sleepy if they felt so. These self-reports, measured on-duty sleepiness, and sleep amounts were recorded on every shift over a period of 2–3 weeks per driver. The causes of sleepiness were queried with smartphone applications and sleep logs. Sleepiness was measured with the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) and sleep with wrist-worn actigraphs. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. Sleep loss and insufficient rest breaks were commonly reported as causing sleepiness among the tram drivers, whereas time of day and sleep loss were the leading causes among the truck drivers. Other causes, such as traffic or cabin conditions, were not frequently mentioned. During morning, day, and evening shifts, the truck drivers were less likely to report insufficient rest breaks as causing sleepiness than the tram drivers. Similarly, during morning shifts, the truck drivers were less likely to attribute their sleepiness to sleep loss. In shifts with drives reporting severe sleepiness (KSS ≥ 7 at least once, 18–21% of shifts), sleep loss was significantly reported as causing sleepiness among both groups. Reporting insufficient rest breaks was associated with severe sleepiness among the tram drivers, whereas time of day showed the same among the truck drivers. The results highlight the need for addressing sleep-related fatigue in transportation and provide directions for future research with regard to secondary causes of sleepiness.


Keywordsfatigue (biological phenomena)sleep debtchauffeurslorry driverstraffictraffic safetycircadian rhythmtimes of dayrestbreaks

Free keywordsperceived fatigue; transportation; alertness


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2021

JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-26-03 at 09:19