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| Volume 16, Issue 3 | Fall 2004 |
PASS Training Kevin Disburg, Driver SupervisorRiver Cities Transit Pierre, SD I attended a PASS Training Session at the North and South Dakota Paratransit Bus Roadeo, Aug. 29, 2004, in Minot, ND. The instructors were Darrell Francis, Minot City Transit, and Rick Thoms, Souris Basin Transportation of Minot. The session was very informative. Topics included wheelchair loading and unloading, securing wheel chair, and communicating with passengers who have disabilities. Some of the stories that went along with these topics were very humorous. I'm sure everyone who has been in transit for any length of time has a story or two of their own. To me, the best part of the session was the sharing of these stories, situations, and knowledge gained from other transit drivers. The instructors handed out materials that covered all types of situations. The group was able to interact and discuss these "problems" or situations and share valuable knowledge. Included in our discussion was information about how other drivers handle loading and unloading procedures with individuals in a wheelchair. We learned which way wheelchair passengers should face, loading and unloading, on the lift. We also learned the correct procedure for using the lift to load ambulatory passengers who don't like to use the steps. The instructors covered ADA rules and requirements. I recommend this training to all in the transit industry who haven't yet attended. It was worth my time and the trip to Minot, and I hope it has made me a better transit driver. It opened my eyes to a glimpse of what it might be like to be a transit passenger – with or without disabilities. The most humorous part of the session was the handout titled, "A Speed and Comprehensive Exercise." I won't spoil it by telling you the last step of the exercise. However, it is very funny to go through the steps of the "test" and then find out how badly you blew it. For any questions on this exercise, please contact Darrell Francis, Minot City Transit. I'm sure he'd get a kick out of leading you through the exercise. Are You Prepared for Work?
Use the Sleep Debt Index (SDI) to evaluate your overall daytime sleepiness. It is a scientifically developed tool to assess your sleep debt. Ask yourself, how likely I am going to fall asleep in the following situations. Score yourself according to the following scale: 0 = Would never doze off
If your total score is:
If your score is over 20 you should seek medical advice. If your score is 5 or less, you do not have a serious sleep debt, but it is probably worthwhile for you to examine your personal work/sleep pattern and determine where changes are possible that will reduce your sleep debt and improve alertness. If your score is between 6 and 20, you should develop a personal fatigue management plan. For complete report please go to "Toolbox for Transit Operator Fatigue," Transportation Cooperative Research Program Report 81, also available at http://gulliver.trb.org/publications/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_81.pdf .
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In this issue...
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Have you prepared yourself to give your best at work? Do you treat yourself to sufficient food, exercise and sleep to perform at your peak? This article does not give you a diet or exercise program to follow, but it can help you assess whether you give yourself enough sleep.