SLEEP SURVEY OF COMMUTERS ON A LARGE US RAIL SYSTEM

This study investigated how commuting on a large US commuter rail system is associated with general health and specifically sleep habits and sleep disorders. Volunteers distributed 21,000 postage-paid mail-back questionnaires, over 6 consecutive weekdays, to commuters traveling in excess of 30 minutes on each ride. The questionnaire asked general health information and incorporated previously validated questions regarding sleep habits. Data was analyzed by total group as well as by length of commute. A total of 4715 (22 percent) questionnaires were returned. Over 50 percent of the sample reported difficulty with sleep and wakefulness while only 3 percent sought professional help. Sleep apnea was suspected in 4.2 percent of male and 1 percent of female respondents and was associated with increased reports of excessive daytime sleepiness, and history of hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Total nocturnal sleep time was significantly less in those subjects with long commutes. Seventy percent of respondents reported napping during the commute. Length of commute was associated with hypertension. The authors' conclusion is that commuting long distances negatively impacts one's ability to capture adequate sleep. Data suggests that there may be significant numbers of respondents with unrecognized sleep disorders which further impact on general health. Further, the data suggest that commuting long distances may impact negatively on the cardiovascular system. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see IRRD abstract no 895120.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0869056077
• Corporate Authors:

  MURDOCH UNIVERSITY. INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN SAFETY AND TRANSPORT

  SOUTH STREET
  MURDOCH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA  Australia  6150
• Authors:
  • WALSLEBEN, J A
  • NORMAN, R G
  • NOVAK, R D
  • O'MALLEY, E B
  • RAPOPORT, D M
  • STROHL, K P
• Conference:
  • INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FATIGUE AND TRANSPORTATION, 3RD, 1998, FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• Publication Date: 1998

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 9 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Conferences; Fatigue (Physiological condition); Health; Length; Passengers; Railroad transportation; Travel; Work trips
• Geographic Terms: United States
• ITRD Terms: 8525: Conference; 2222: Fatigue (human); 2144: Health; 698: Journey; 621: Journey to work; 6488: Length; 1173: Rail bound transport; 8122: USA; 1715: Vehicle occupant
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Passenger Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00754010
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 0-86905-607-7
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 27 1998 12:00AM