Assessing the impacts of climate change on the physiology and safety of motorcyclists in Taiwan

IMotorcycle food couriers face high risks of fatigue-related aberrant driving behaviors (ADBs), including speeding, abrupt braking, and hard acceleration, exacerbated by time pressures, environmental stressors, and poor sleep. In Taiwan, motorcycles dominate urban transport, with accidents involving motorcyclists accounting for over 60% of fatalities and 80% of injuries in 2014. Exposure to heatwaves and air pollution further threatens their safety, yet predictive models incorporating these factors remain underexplored.

This study evaluates the reliability of heart rate variability (HRV) as a predictor of fatigue-related ADBs and the added value of integrating environmental, demographic, and sleep-related factors. HRV has been identified as an indicator of sleepiness and mental fatigue, yet existing models relying solely on HRV demonstrate limitations. For instance, an LSTM network predicted ADB likelihood with 69.17% accuracy. These findings highlight the need for more comprehensive models. Sleep factors significantly influence driving performance. Professional drivers with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) demonstrate higher ADB frequency per kilometer, while short sleep durations increase ADB risk by 2.5-5.1 times. Objective sleep metrics, such as the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), have been linked to increased ADB risk, underscoring the potential of hybrid models incorporating sleep data.

A four-day naturalistic driving study will equip motorcycle couriers with wearable sensors to monitor HRV, sleep, and environmental conditions. By integrating real-world physiological monitoring with environmental exposure assessments, this study will provide critical insights into the compounded effects of OSA and external stressors on motorcycle courier safety. The findings will inform targeted interventions such as fatigue alert systems, regulatory measures for safer driving practices, ultimately improving road safety and occupational health.