This paper examines the problem of minimising stopping distance on split friction roads by joint control of individual wheel brakes and automated steering. A static optimisation problem is introduced that maximises braking on split friction roads without veering out-of-lane. The analysis of the optimal brake forces and counter-steering shows different properties of the optimal solution depending on the degree of split friction assymmetry between the left and right vehicle sides. The solutions are categorised into two regions: small and large split friction asymmetries. At a small split friction asymmetry, all the tyres are at their force peak in their force-slip curves and the slips are small. Therefore, the traditional ABS and a path-following controller give optimal braking and path deviation performance. Whereas at a large split friction asymmetry, it is shown that having all tyres at their force-slip peak is impossible. Instead, allowing larger slips at the low-friction tyres gives maximum braking. Surprisingly, constraining slip constraint on one low-friction tyre limits the available tyre force on the high-friction ones, ultimately leading to longer stopping distances. For braking at large splits, we propose using optimal static solutions to set a feedforward steering angle based on the split friction condition, together with a high-friction brake control to the yaw torque. This control framework is tested in vehicle simulation in the CarMaker environment. Closed-loop simulations of the proposed control framework are compared to an emulated driver response derived from measurements of a professional driver. Stopping distance gains of 6–13% are observed by automating the steering compensation. Further simulations demonstrate that the proposed control framework provides maximum braking even when one side has zero friction.

How does the connected AR-HUD warning system affect lane-changing strategies during freeway abandoned object events: A survival analysis approach.

Abstract In professional motorsport, driving simulators play an important role in driver and racing team training, as well as race car development and testing. Their usability relies on cueing systems, with the Motion Cueing Algorithm (MCA) being responsible for translating virtual vehicle motion into simulator motion demands. This study evaluates the effects of MCAs on 31 amateurs and two professional racing drivers in a four-degrees-of-freedom driving simulator. Assessment criteria are based on drivers’ performance metrics (e.g., lap time, probability of fatal errors), objective driving characteristics (e.g., steering wheel reversal rate, full-throttle ratio), subjective workload, and preferences for specific MCAs. The results revealed consistent MCA preferences for both professional racing drivers, which are supported by their superior driving performance. In contrast, preferences among amateur drivers were distributed across the MCAs, and their subjective workload was at least double that of the professionals. The absence of a common MCA preference in the amateur group may be attributed to their high workload, combined with limited experience and inappropriate mental models for race driving. These results are important because they suggest that motorsport driving simulators, even if used for less experienced or non-experienced racing drivers, should rely on the MCAs preferred by professional racing drivers. The findings further underscore the importance of MCA tuning by professionals with an adequate reference to the real world scenario that is to be tested in the virtual environment.

ABSTRACT Despite widespread investments in advanced vehicle safety technologies (VSTs), crashes in the trucking industry remain persistently high. This study reveals why technologies designed to make roads safer sometimes erode the very behaviors they aim to improve. Drawing on 40 narratives from 25 driver managers and follow‐up study with 31 professional drivers, we use narrative inquiry approach grounded in theories of technology avoidance, technology dominance, and managerial feedback. The findings reveal that drivers often experience these technologies as intrusive and misaligned with real‐world driving conditions, leading to behaviors such as avoidance. Over time, reliance on automated alerts can erode drivers’ judgment and skill. However, when managers use technology‐generated data to provide empathetic and proactive feedback and feedforward explanations tied to personal safety, drivers are more likely to engage with the technology constructively. The findings show a critical paradox: VSTs can be hindering or enabling, depending on how human‐VST and manager‐driver relationships are managed. The study advances understanding of how frontline behavioral safety emerges not from VSTs itself but from the quality of human sensemaking around it.

Differences in Driving Behavior Between Professional and Nonprofessional Drivers

TripNavigator: Hire Driver is a secure, user-centric driver hiring platform that enables car owners to directly hire verified drivers without third-party intermediaries. Developed using Android (Java/XML) with Firebase Authentication, Firebase Realtime Database, and Firebase Cloud Storage, the system provides real-time availability, request handling, and transparent trip coordination. The application supports multiple driver categories including professional drivers and licensed part-time drivers (such as students), expanding earning opportunities while addressing the shortage of reliable drivers for short and long trips. The platform allows users to browse drivers using limited public information such as ratings and reviews, ensuring privacy by revealing sensitive details (license and verification documents) only after a driver accepts a request. After acceptance, both parties can communicate through an in-app chat module and confirm trip requirements. Google Maps API integration enables pickup/drop location selection, route visualization, and live location tracking for safety and convenience. Driver KYC documents and trip-related proofs are securely uploaded and managed using Firebase Cloud Storage. The system is designed with rolebased flows (Customer/Driver/Admin) to ensure tailored interfaces and controlled access. Overall, TripNavigator improves trust, reduces dependency on brokers, and provides a scalable, real-time hiring model for driver services.

Feasibility and discriminatory properties of a simple fitness-to-drive assessment using a driving simulator placed in an orthopaedic outpatient department: a feasibility study.

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a leading global health challenge, with Iran facing significant economic and social costs due to these incidents. This study investigates Iranian drivers' preferences for road safety and their willingness to pay (WTP) to reduce injury and mortality risks. It also examines the influence of demographic and driving-related factors on these preferences. Method: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted among Shiraz residents to analyze route preferences. Participants evaluated hypothetical commuting scenarios characterized by variations in travel time, cost, injury risk, and fatality risk. Using a D-efficient fractional factorial design, 10 two-alternative choice scenarios were developed. Data were collected through interviews in five districts, achieving an 81% response rate. A mixed logit regression model was employed to assess how route attributes influenced participants' decisions. Results: Key factors driving route choices included the number of deaths, injury rates, travel time, and cost, with fatalities being the most influential. Participants were willing to pay $7.07 extra for routes with travel times under 30 minutes, $8.98 for routes with fewer than 10 annual injuries, and $11.83 for routes with fewer than 5 annual deaths. WTP varied significantly across demographic groups: men prioritized reduced travel time, while women emphasized safety. Personal-use drivers exhibited higher WTP compared to professional drivers like taxi operators. Larger family sizes correlated with lower WTP, whereas individuals in excellent health or with supplementary health insurance displayed higher WTP for safer and faster routes. Conclusion: This study underscores the utility of DCEs in capturing drivers' preferences for road safety and efficiency in Iran. By highlighting the trade-offs drivers are willing to make and identifying key factors, these findings offer actionable insights for policymakers to design transportation systems that align with public safety and mobility priorities.

ABSTRACT Exposures to traffic-related emissions are known to be responsible for diseases and increased mortality. Waste collection truck (WCT) drivers spend most of their time in microenvironments contaminated by these emissions and are also exposed to some pathogenic bioaerosols. To prevent WCT driver exposure, the cabin air filter (CAF) appears as a useful piece of equipment. No standard prescribing CAF efficiency levels for general or professional use was developed. Existing test procedures overlook particles smaller than 300 nm, such as diesel soot or certain bioaerosols, and no previous study has specifically addressed WCT cabin air filters or their clogging under real waste collection conditions. The aim of this work was to evaluate for a range of particle sizes including ultrafine particles (UFPs), the collection efficiency and pressure drop of the CAF media used in WCTs and to study their evolution after clogging under real waste collection conditions. All the tested CAF models exhibited the typical U-shape curve of fractional collection efficiency with low to medium minimum collection efficiency ranging between 1.3% and 42.5%, depending on the filtration velocity. Statistical analysis indicated that CAF media are relatively homogenous across their filtration area and that variations in efficiency and pressure drop were mainly due to differences in clogging levels or initial state conditions. Compared to data available for private vehicles, CAF clogging appears to be more severe under waste collection conditions. Given the diversity of particulate contaminants, the low to moderate performances of current CAFs, and the exposure of WCT drivers, this study highlights the need for improved and more-reliable protection. It is therefore essential to develop specific regulations or standards for CAFs, including systematic measurements of fractional collection efficiency over a broad particle size range, from UFPs to micron-sized particles. The issue of preventive CAF replacement should also be addressed. Implications: Waste collection truck (WCT) drivers are exposed to traffic-related emissions and bioaerosols. No previous study has evaluated cabin air filter (CAF) performance in WCTs across particle sizes or their clogging under real conditions. This research shows CAFs have low to medium minimum collection efficiencies and clog faster in waste collection environments than in private vehicles. Given the health risks of ultrafine and micron-sized particles, improved protection is needed. Regulations should require systematic efficiency testing over a wide particle size range and define preventive replacement guidelines to maintain air quality and prevent particle or microbial release. All professional drivers could benefit.

Introduction: India is witnessing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with type 2 diabetes mellitus emerging as a major public health challenge. Gujarat, with its oil- and sugar-rich diet, ranks second nationally in diabetes prevalence. Among high-risk occupational groups, professional bus drivers are particularly vulnerable due to sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and limited physical activity. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of diabetes among bus drivers. To determine risk factors associated with diabetes. Methods: This study was conducted from May to August 2023 at two major bus depots in Surat, Gujarat. Based on the NFHS-5 prevalence of diabetes and using universal sampling, a total of 321 eligible bus drivers were included. Data were collected via a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS v26, Epi Info v3, and Excel 2019, applying univariate and bivariate analyses. Results: The majority were aged 31–40 years 167 (52%), belonged to socioeconomic Class 2 159 (50%), and had 0–5 years of job experience 188 (58%). About 45 (14%) reported health issues, primarily hypertension 13 (29%) and diabetes 12 (27%). Diabetes prevalence was significantly associated with education (p<0.001), socioeconomic class (p=0.018), and urban residence (p=0.04). Diabetic drivers were older, had longer job tenures, and higher incomes (p<0.05). Conclusion: There were significant associations between diabetes prevalence 30 (9.3%) and factors such as age, education, waist-to-hip ratio, residence, income and job tenure

Dermal uptake from indoor dust—especially within residential and vehicular environments—constitutes a potentially important exposure route. This study aimed to estimate daily intakes (EDIs) via dermal contact of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) using the existing dust concentration data from our previous studies that were designed to investigate oral ingestion exposure to such pollutants in indoor dust from residences and private vehicles in Iraq. Non-carcinogenic (non-CR) and carcinogenic risk (CR) assessments using both dermal and oral ingestion pathways were also determined. Under mean exposure conditions, the EDI values via dermal contact for both compounds were highest in toddlers, followed by professional taxi drivers and then adults, with values ranging from 0.011 to 0.215 ng/kg bw/day. For home dust, corresponding values ranged between 0.036 and 1.48 ng/kg bw/day. Dermal exposure was identified as the second most important pathway, contributing 35% and 32% of total TCEP exposure via home dust, while dermal exposure via contact with car dust contributed 18% and 20% of total TDCIPP exposure, for adults and toddlers, respectively. Hazard index (HI) values were orders of magnitude lower than the reference value (<1), suggesting minimal non-CR health risk. While most CR values were below 1 × 10−6, high-end exposure scenarios slightly exceeded the threshold for TDCIPP. This study provides the first comprehensive dermal exposure assessment for TCEP and TDCIPP in Iraq, and emphasises the need to consider dermal exposure in future risk evaluations.

Personality traits and driving skills are well established predictors of driving behavior and crash risks. However, limited research has explored the relationship between these factors and road crashes among professional truck drivers, particularly under Indian conditions. This study aims to examine the how personality traits, driving skills, and driving behaviors are linked to crash involvement within this high-risk occupational group. To achieve this, the present study conducted a face-to-face survey of 159 truck drivers using a driver behavior questionnaire. The collected data were subjected to exploratory factor analysis, with the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin value of 0.751 and Bartlett’s test of sphericity confirming the sample’s suitability for factor analysis. Seven distinct behavioral factors were extracted: aggressive violations, ordinary violations, errors, slip & lapse, aggressive driving, risky driving, and positive behaviors. To explore demographic influences, two non-parametric tests—Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H—were applied. The results revealed significant correlations between driver behaviors and variables such as driver age, education, driving experience, accident history, and alcohol consumption. Notably, violations, error, and positive behaviors emerged as key predictors of crash involvement. The findings highlight the importance of integrating personality and behavior assessments into driver safety programs. Promoting positive driving behavior through targeted interventions such as enhanced driver training programs and stricter enforcement strategies holds significant potential for reducing road crashes among professional truck drivers, promoting safer driving practices and improving overall road safety.

Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among auto rickshaw drivers in urban settings: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction and objective Shift work, particularly night and rotating shifts, is increasingly common in sectors such as healthcare, transportation and industry, raising significant occupational health concerns. Circadian rhythm disruption compromises homeostasis, leading to hormonal, metabolic, and cardiovascular alterations. This review aimed to analyse evidence published between 2020–2025 on the association between shift work, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases, exploring underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and discussing practical implications for occupational health. Methodology A narrative literature review was conducted through searches in Medline (via PubMed), Scielo, and Cochrane in April 2025. Articles published in Portuguese and English between 2020–2025 were included. Systematic and narrative reviews were considered as secondary sources. Earlier landmark studies were used only for conceptual framework. Evidence quality was assessed using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy. Results A total of 38 articles were identified, of which 10 met inclusion criteria. Evidence indicates an increased risk of Metabolic Syndrome (OR ~1.5) and Cardiovascular Diseases (RR ~1.2), with prevalence up to 33% among professional drivers. Longitudinal studies reported a dose–response relationship in exposures ≥10 years and gender differences, with higher risk among women. Main outcomes included abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and higher incidence of cardiovascular events. Metabolic Syndrome was defined variably, according to National Cholesterol Education Program – Adult Treatment Panel III, International Diabetes Federation, or World Health Organization criteria. In addition to international evidence, this review highlights Portuguese contributions published in the Revista Portuguesa de Saúde Ocupacional, reinforcing the national relevance of these findings. Discussion and Conclusion Shift work emerges as a modifiable risk factor for Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease, mediated by circadian disruption and hormonal and behavioral alterations. Despite consistent results, methodological limitations (such as cross-sectional designs, self-reported data, and heterogeneous definitions of shift schedules) restrict generalizability. Future long-term cohort studies should adopt standardized Metabolic Syndrome metrics and integrate objective circadian assessment. From an occupational health perspective, periodic cardiometabolic screening, sleep hygiene and healthy lifestyle promotion, and alignment of work schedules with individual chronotype are recommended to mitigate adverse effects, to increase work satisfaction and productivity. Keywords: Shift work, Circadian rhythm, Metabolic syndrome, Cardiovascular diseases, Occupational Health, Occupational Medicine and Occupational Nursing.

I read with great interest the article by Sharma et al, investigating static and dynamic visual acuity (SVA and DVA) among professional bus drivers in the Tricity region of India.1 The study adds valuable insight into occupational vision health, yet some gaps and methodological limitations merit discussion. First, while the cross-sectional design provides a snapshot of visual skills, it does not establish causal relationships between visual functions and driving performance. A longitudinal or interventional design could more effectively assess whether deficits in DVA or contrast sensitivity directly contribute to increased accident risk, as highlighted in previous systematic reviews linking vision impairment with crash likelihood

Background: Ride-sharing services have emerged as an alternative mode of urban transportation in Kathmandu Valley, aiming to address issues such as traffic congestion and limited public transport options. However, user satisfaction with these services remains uncertain due to varying service quality and operational challenges. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to assess the user's satisfaction with the ride-sharing service in Kathmandu Valley. Specifically, the study assesses the current status of ride-sharing services in the Kathmandu Valley to examine the impact of service quality on user satisfaction with ride-sharing services in the Kathmandu Valley, to identify the various challenges faced by ride-sharing services, and to propose potential solutions to address these challenges. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted an explanatory research design. Expectation confirmation theory (ECT) is used for the study because SERVQUAL is based on the expectancy-disconfirmation paradigm, which states that service quality is defined as the degree to which consumers' pre-consumption expectations of quality are confirmed or contradicted by their actual perception of the service experience. The primary data for this study were collected from 417 respondents, using a non-probability convenience sampling method. Structured questions were administered through the KOBO toolbox to gather the necessary information. The collected data were then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in MS Excel and SmartPLS 4.0. Findings: Tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, and empathy directly influence users' satisfaction in using ride-sharing services in the Kathmandu Valley; however, assurance had no direct influence on users' satisfaction. In the context of using ride-sharing services, Nepali customers are not yet accustomed to using ride-sharing services compared to developed countries. Besides, the major challenges faced by ride-sharing service users include long wait times, safety concerns, unavailability of rides, unfriendly or unprofessional driver behavior, pricing issues, vehicle cleanliness, payment options, and difficulty using the app. The major solutions to the challenges are short wait times, enhanced safety measures, sufficient ride availability, friendly or professional driver behavior, better pricing models, improved vehicle maintenance, more driver training programs, easy-to-use apps, and more payment options. Conclusion: This study concludes that tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, and empathy have a positive and significant relationship with users' satisfaction, whereas assurance is insignificantly correlated with user satisfaction. Keywords: Ride-sharing Service, Users' Satisfaction, SERVQUAL Dimension, Service Quality, Kathmandu Valley

Sedentary behavior in the workplace has emerged as a critical public health concern, with bus drivers representing a high-risk group due to prolonged compulsory sitting. This study aimed to investigate metabolic alterations associated with sedentary work in professional bus drivers compared to active controls. A total of 60 bus drivers and 60 sanitation workers (matched for age, sex, and lifestyle) as controls were enrolled. Fasting serum samples of the subjects were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for metabolomic profiling. Demographic data and biochemical parameters were also collected. Metabolomic analysis identified 322 metabolites, with 57 differential metabolites (52 up-regulated and 5 down-regulated) in the bus drivers relative to the controls, based on criteria of variable important for the projection value (VIP) ≥ 1, fold change ≥ 1.2 or ≤ 0.83, and P < 0.05. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant perturbations in metabolic pathways, including valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis; 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism; and biosynthesis of amino acids. Additionally, biochemical analysis showed higher triglyceride levels in the bus drivers (P = 0.037). These findings highlight distinct metabolic signatures associated with prolonged sedentary work in bus drivers, providing insights into potential mechanisms linking occupational sedentary behavior to adverse health outcomes.

As the rail industry explores remote train operation, understanding the perspectives of train drivers is critical to designing effective remote-control stations. This study investigates how professional train drivers perceive remote train operation compared to traditional in-cab driving and identifies key design requirements for remote operator workstations. Using a mixed-methods approach, 15 licensed train drivers participated in experimental drives of a prototype train under both manual and remote-control conditions. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews, followed by evaluation of two interface prototypes developed based on participant feedback. Results show that while drivers generally preferred in-cab operation due to better sensory feedback and situational awareness, many recognized the potential of remote operation, particularly if interfaces are ergonomically designed, visually clear, and adaptable to various operational contexts. The findings underscore the importance of human-centered design in developing remote operator workstations that support ergonomic comfort, sensory awareness, and operational efficiency. Simplicity, clarity, and functional relevance emerged as key interface priorities, alongside the need to accommodate differing operational needs between passenger and freight train drivers. These insights provide valuable guidance for the iterative development of safe and effective remote train control systems.

Introduction. It is known that increased generation of reactive oxygen species in the body, including under the influence of adverse environmental factors and working conditions, increases the risk of oxidative stress, the pathogenetic basis of many diseases. Consequently, the detection of early changes in the state of the pro-oxidant-antioxidant system of the blood could become the basis for the primary prevention of occupational and production-related pathologies in various occupational groups, in particular, among drivers of motor vehicles. Meanwhile, studies on these issues for the selected contingent are few and mostly generalizing in nature, without detailing age and length of service characteristics.The study aims to comprehensively investigate and evaluate disorders of the pro-oxidant-antioxidant system of blood in professional drivers of motor vehicles, depending on age and work experience.Materials and methods. The authors have examined 277 men (190 professional drivers of motor vehicles and 87 volunteers — the control group). Age groups (20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–65 years old) and internship subgroups (1–5, 5–10, and &amp;gt;10 years old) were formed. The scientists used spectrophotometric methods to study the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the blood, the content of lipid peroxidation products (LPP) — TBK-active products (TBK-AP) and the degree of oxidative modification of proteins (OMP). The authors have assessed the level of DNA damage in leukocytes using an alkaline version of the DNA comet method.Results. In all drivers, except for the "50–65 years" group, against the background of an increase in the of TBA-AP level in plasma, there was a decrease in the intensity of LPP and the activity of CAT and SOD in erythrocytes relative to the control groups. The decline in CAT and SOD activity increased with increasing age and seniority. Drivers aged 40 to 65 years with more than 5 years of work experience showed a predominance of pro-oxidant processes over antioxidant processes in red blood cells. The authors observed a statistically significant decrease in the level of Fe-dependent OMP among drivers aged 30 to 39 years with less than 10 years of work experience and among drivers aged 40 to 65 years in all subgroups with work experience. In drivers aged 30–39 years with more than 10 years of work experience, they observed an increase in the level of DNA damage in blood leukocytes.Limitations. There was no separation by type of vehicles (buses, trucks, and cars), which may affect the heterogeneity of working conditions and loads; the influence of the "healthy worker effect" could mask the real impact of the production environment on the health of workers.Conclusion. There are disorders of the pro-oxidant-antioxidant blood system of professional motor vehicle drivers (men) at the level of lipids, proteins and DNA, depending on age and seniority.Ethics. The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Nizhny Novgorod Scientific Research Institute of Hygiene and Occupational Pathology (Protocol No. 1 dated January 26, 2021). All participants in the study signed an informed consent.Contributions:Pozdnyakova M.A. — development of a research plan and program, editing and approval of the final version of the article; current research management;Zhukova E.S. — development of the research concept and design, interpretation of the results, editing of the article;Polyakova L.V. — collection and processing of material, analysis of results, preparation of the manuscript for publication;Zelenkina O.V. — collection and processing of material, analysis of results.Gratitude. The authors would like to thank A.B. Gapeev, PhD, Professor, Chief Researcher at the Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a separate division of the Pushchinsky Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, for his comprehensive assistance in mastering the DNA comet method.Funding. The work was performed within the Framework of the state assignment of the Nizhny Novgorod Scientific Research Institute of Hygiene and Occupational Pathology (Reg. no. 121020900054-2).Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.Received: 08.10.2025 / Accepted: 26.11.2025 / Published: 10.12.2025

Objectives This study explored the status and causative factors of drug driving behavior among professional drivers in China, by examining their perceptions of impairment caused by legal and illegal drugs, attitudes toward police enforcement and legal regulation, and factors predicting the behavior. Methods The current study recruited a sample of professional Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) transport drivers completing a designed questionnaire. A total of 294 individuals, ranging in age between 19 and 58 years (M = 48.03, SD = 4.46) are engaged. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Path Analysis, and Bayesian Network Learning. Results The participants rated illegal drugs as more dangerous than legal ones, of which the full list is provided in the online supplement. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in impairment ratings across legal drug categories (p < .001), with alcohol (D1) perceived as the most impairing. Path Analysis identified that the perceived risk of drug driving (β = 0.26, p < .001) and attitude toward legal supervision (β = 0.23, p < .001) were significant direct predictors of self-reported drug driving behavior. Subsequently, the Bayesian Network model quantified this relationship, showing that drivers who perceived the highest level of risk had a substantially lower probability (31.6%) of engaging in drug driving. Two-thirds of respondents supported enhanced legal supervision for this issue. Conclusions The findings highlight distinct perceptions and attitudes in this population, suggesting that targeted education and legal measures could effectively manage drug driving in the Chinese context.