Safety Implications of Transit Operator Schedule Policies

This presentation focuses on a study conducted for the Florida Department of Transportation that examined the safety implications of public transit operator schedule policies. The study was undertaken in considering the department’s Bus Transit Draft Rule 14-90.006(3). The rule provides drivers with a maximum of 16 hours on duty per 24-hour period. It limits the actual time driving to 12 hours per 24-hour period over the 16 hours on duty. A minimum of 8 consecutive hours off duty is required. The objectives of this research project were to evaluate the adequacy of the 8-hour minimum rest time, to examine the maximum of the 12-hour driving time, and to assess the maximum of the 16-hour on-duty time. The study led to the following conclusions: sleep time for bus operators is reduced by working long hours; split work shifts were found to be associated with fewer hours of sleep; collision occurrences increase with longer driving and working hours; and higher crash rates were found for drivers with split work schedules. Several recommendations are suggested for dealing with these findings.

Language

  • English

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01450976
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
  • Created Date: Nov 6 2012 3:04PM