An Assessment of Commuting Risk Factors for Air Traffic Control Specialists
Abstract
Risk factors for sleepiness-related vehicle accidents have included, among others, time of accident, type of roadway, distance traveled, and reduced alertness. This study assessed risk factors for commuting incidents reported by air traffic controllers driving to and from work. Analyses were conducted on responses to a modified version of the Standard Shiftwork Index survey regarding alertness, commuting variables (i.e., number of miles and roadway types), and driving outcomes (i.e., lapses of attention, falling asleep, near misses, and accidents). Chi-square tests and odds ratio (OR) risk estimates were computed separately for air traffic controllers in Terminal/Enroute and Flight Service Station options. Reduced mental sharpness was associated with elevated ORs while driving to or from most shifts, though the greatest risk was found before early mornings and following midnight shifts. Elevated ORs for lapses of attention, falling asleep, and near misses were found for those with commutes greater than 20 miles and variably, with roadway type. In most cases, too few actual accidents were reported to compute chi-square statistics or odds ratios for this outcome.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA460857
Entities
People
- A. Boquet
- C. Hackworth
- Clebson Cruz
- T. Nesthus
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration