NTSB aims to eliminate fatigue in transportation

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reiterated its commitment to eliminating human fatigue in the transportation industry, in recognition of National Sleep Awareness Week.

The NTSB continues to advocate setting work hour limits based on fatigue research, circadian rhythms and sleep rest requirements that will reduce unnecessary risk to the traveling public.

"Fatigue can impair a person behind the wheel or at the helm much like alcohol or other drugs. We must ensure that as much as possible is being done to protect our transportation system from the insidious effect of human fatigue," said NTSB Board Member Deborah Hersman.

Long concerned about the effect of human fatigue in transportation and the consequences of fatigue on those who perform critical functions in all modes of transportation, the NTSB has issued more than 100 fatigue related recommendations in all modes of transportation.

The NTSB’s board voted to remove fatigue in the railroad industry from the "Most Wanted List" last year after the passage of the Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which addressed railroad hours-of-service limits and established fatigue management requirements. Human Fatigue in the aviation, marine and pipeline industries remain on the Federal Most Wanted List.