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. CONCLUSION: 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.