AUSTRALIAN INITIATIVES IN MANAGING FATIGUE IN TRANSPORTATION

In most developed jurisdictions fatigue has been addressed by restricting hours of service and mandating time off work. In most of Australia under the Truck Driving Hours Regulations a driver cannot drive more than 12 hours or work more than 14 hours in each period of 24 hours, with minimum rest requirements during that period. No more than 72 hours driving or work is possible in a 7 day period, and one 24 continuous hours rest break must be taken away from the truck during this time. There are a number of criticisms of this approach including its: lack of flexibility; failure to consider the circadian rhythms of drivers; poor compliance because of the absence of incentives to do so; poor enforcement because of the difficulties of doing so; and rigid restriction on hours of service may prevent drivers reaching better rest facilities only a short distance away. Improved management of fatigue must address these issues. Two Australian alternatives to the traditional hours of service regime are described. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E205827.