New study: Bus drivers work under high pressure – every second counts

Using a gaze-point camera, heart rate monitors and interviews, researchers have taken a closer look at what really goes on behind the wheel of a public bus.

The researchers followed five drivers on one of the busiest bus routes in Trondheim, both during and outside rush hour. The goal was to understand the demands of the profession – and how much it requires in terms of concentration, focus and mental presence.

– The drivers are constantly on guard. They must anticipate what is happening in the traffic, follow the timetable and at the same time ensure safe transport of the passengers. Everything has to be right – there is no room for error, says senior researcher Dagfinn Moe at SINTEF.

Mentally demanding job

The researchers mapped how drivers systematically shift their gaze between mirrors, screens and the road, and how they mentally navigate through demanding traffic situations. The study shows that drivers use so-called “cognitive maps” – mental models of the route and traffic situation – to keep an overview and stay ahead of what is happening.

“It's about much more than keeping the bus on the road. It's constant analysis, assessment and decision-making,” says Moe.

Stress, time pressure and poor infrastructure

Heavy traffic, crowded bus stops, strollers, potholes and poorly marked speed bumps – these are all part of everyday life. Combined with time pressure and long shifts, it creates a working day that is both physically and mentally demanding.

Many drivers speak of pride in their job, but also of pressures that should be taken seriously. The study points to a need for better route planning, more predictable shift patterns and safer infrastructure.

– Measures to reduce the burden on drivers will benefit both employees and passengers, says Moe.

The passengers are the working environment

An important insight from the study is that passengers are not just customers – they are the very working environment of the driver. Pleasant passengers and small smiles can mean mUsing a gaze point camera, heart rate monitors and interviews, researchers have taken a closer look at what really goes on behind the wheel of a public bus – and the results surprised even the experts.is more important than you think for a driver working under pressure.

– Next time you get on the bus, feel free to say "hi" and smile. It makes a difference, says Moe.