MPC
Project Details

Title:	Fatigue, Health and CMV Driving Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Principal Investigators:	Patrick Sherry and Ruth Chu-Lien Chao
University:	University of Denver
Status:	Active
Year:	2021
Grant #:	69A3551747108 (FAST Act)
Project #:	MPC-646
RiP #:	01762845
RH Display ID:	156394
Keywords:	behavior, commercial drivers, COVID-19, fatigue (physiological condition), health, highway safety, hours of labor, personality, psychological aspects

Abstract

Driver fatigue as a factor contributing to accidents and crashes involving commercial vehicles remains a top priority in improving transportation safety. Research has investigated the role of long work hours, job stress, personality characteristics including empathy and aggressiveness as significant influences on transportation safety. The Department of Transportation (DOT) suspended the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for truck drivers during the coronavirus pandemic. The suspension was intended to ensure continuation of essential services as delivery demands soared. Changes in the hours of service rules due to emergency conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 have created conditions that may affect driver behavior and transportation safety. The present study examines the role of fatigue, personality characteristics, long work hours and commercial vehicle driver behavior in relation to traffic citations, accidents and crashes. Comparisons of current number of hours driven, psychological mood, stress and other personality characteristics along with indicators of driver safety will be made with data collected prior to the pandemic. Results of the study will document changes in fatigue and driver safety during the pandemic emergency and contribute to the validation of an effective personality measure and screening instrument to identify safe and effective commercial vehicle operators.

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