Bus drivers must not only have vehicle operating skills but must also be able to deal effectively with the public. Training and discipline may not overcome psychological factors and resultant stress may lead to other job-related problems. At present no single method of selecting or training bus operators with respect to psychological stress is considered generally acceptable by transit agencies. NCTRP Project 33-1 is to produce an evaluative method or questionnaire to be part of the bus-driver-selection process, as well as a training module to help drivers deal with stressful situations and another module for supervisors that will enable them to recognize stress symptoms. Preliminary findings of the literature review for this project are given in this digest. This review is presented in 3 parts: (1) Occupations stress in general; (2) Stress specifically associated with bus drivers, and (3) Existing stress measurement instruments. Although the final products of Project 33-1 will be issued later, the literature review does provide an advance indication of the nature and potential applicability of those products. (Author/publisher)
Abstract