Ensuring the state of alertness of tram drivers

In the cases investigated, the collision of a tram with an end wall in Keilaniemi was caused by the driver's incapacitation. The driver had felt tired throughout the shift but had continued to work. Fatigue may also have been a factor in the collision of trams in Itäkeskus. Accidents caused by incapacitation have also occurred in tram traffic in other countries.
The work shift system of tram line 15 has been identified as exposing drivers to working while fatigued. The threshold for reporting fatigue to the supervisor is perceived as high, and the drivers have not received instructions on how to act in such cases. In fact, working while tired has become a normal practice, resulting in a deterioration in safety.

In tram drivers shift arrangements, urban rail operators take the drivers alertness into consideration and define clear procedures for interrupting work if the driver feels tired.

At the organisational level, it is important to identify the risks of working while fatigued in general and communicate about them. For example, alertness management tools used in aviation and waterborne traffic can be used to help ensure alertness.

According to Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd, they have already earlier included coping at work as one of the key criteria observed in the shift planning of transport operations. Metropolitan Area Transport will emphasise the theme even more, especially with regard to rest periods and changes in work rhythm between shifts. The introduction of the new work shift planning software in 2026 will further improve the possibilities of optimising the planning. In this connection, the use of night shifts will also be tested, for example, on the light rail line 15 operated almost 24 hours a day.
Metropolitan Area Transport has specified its guidelines on when to interrupt work, and information on the theme has been provided to drivers, traffic control and work supervision. The transport operators and occupational safety and health will collaborate to better bring together support measures that help people manage their individual level of alertness and to communicate on the topic. In addition, Metropolitan Area Transport will create a benchmark of the alertness management tools used in aviation, for example, to identify operating models that they could utilise.