Challenges in Conducting Empirical Epidemiological Research with Truck and Bus Drivers in Diverse Settings in North America

Susan Soccolich (), Christie Ridgeway, Jessica Erin Mabry, Matthew C. Camden, Andrew Miller, Hardianto Iridiastadi and Richard J. Hanowski
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Susan Soccolich: Division of Freight, Transit, and Heavy Vehicle Safety, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Christie Ridgeway: Division of Freight, Transit, and Heavy Vehicle Safety, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Jessica Erin Mabry: Division of Freight, Transit, and Heavy Vehicle Safety, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Matthew C. Camden: Division of Freight, Transit, and Heavy Vehicle Safety, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Andrew Miller: Division of Freight, Transit, and Heavy Vehicle Safety, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Hardianto Iridiastadi: Division of Freight, Transit, and Heavy Vehicle Safety, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Richard J. Hanowski: Division of Freight, Transit, and Heavy Vehicle Safety, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-10

Abstract: Over 6.5 million commercial vehicle drivers were operating a large truck or bus in the United States in 2020. This career often has high stress and long working hours, with few opportunities for physical activity. Previous research has linked these factors to adverse health conditions. Adverse health conditions affect not only the professional drivers’ wellbeing but potentially also commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators’ safe driving ability and public safety for others sharing the roadway. The prevalence of health conditions with high impact on roadway safety in North American CMV drivers necessitates empirical epidemiological research to better understand and improve driver health. The paper presents four challenges in conducting epidemiological research with truck and bus drivers in North America and potential resolutions identified in past and current research. These challenges include (1) the correlation between driving performance, driving experience, and driver demographic factors; (2) the impact of medical treatment status on the relationship between health conditions and driver risk; (3) capturing accurate data in self-report data collection methods; and (4) reaching the CMV population for research. These challenges are common and influential in epidemiological research of this population, as drivers face severe health issues, health-related federal regulations, and the impact of vehicle operation on the safety of themselves and others using the roadways.

Keywords: truck research; bus research; epidemiological research; driver safety; driver health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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