Work Schedules and Sleep Patterns of Railroad Dispatchers Final rept. Jul 05-Dec 06

摘要

This report presents the results of a research study designed to characterize the work schedules and sleep patterns of U.S. railroad dispatchers and to examine the relationship between these schedules and level of alertness of the individuals working the schedules. The study methodology was a survey of a random sample of currently working U.S. railroad dispatchers who completed a background survey and kept a daily log for 2 weeks. Railroad dispatchers are a predominantly healthy middle-aged male population, but 14 percent are women. Dispatchers work either a trick dispatcher, subject to the limitations of the House of Service Law, or an assistant chief dispatcher who oversees the trick dispatchers. Dispatchers are a shiftwork population. Many are subject to working nights and a variable work schedule, making it difficult to get adequate quality sleep.