Professional drivers operate in demanding conditions, with irregular working hours, high workload and complex traffic environments. These challenges often lead to fatigue, stress and health issues, affecting both road safety and the attractiveness of the profession. During the project period, Europe faced the most severe driver shortage in decades.
MILESTONE stood out by combining objective measurements with practical technology, supporting both drivers and companies in creating a safer and healthier working environment.
Objective
MILESTONE focused on four main objectives:
- Gaining insight into the impact of stress and sleep on driving behaviour.
- Developing interventions that help drivers remain within a healthy stress tolerance zone.
- Creating job-facilitating solutions that actively support drivers.
- Testing and evaluating these solutions in real-life conditions.
Approach
Over a three-year period, the project closely followed professional drivers to better understand how stress and sleep influence driving behaviour.
Each driver was monitored continuously for one month using a combination of technologies: a wearable device, the MILESTONE app, GPS tracking and in-cabin sensors. This data enabled the development of a personalised stress model. The results showed that parcel delivery drivers experience stress more frequently, while long-haul drivers face higher stress peaks. Stress occurred mainly under time pressure, on complex roads and in the early morning, and was amplified by poor sleep quality.
Based on these insights, project partners co-created targeted solutions with drivers, including real-time vibration alerts during stress peaks, personalised feedback and goals in the app, and short workplace-based exercises.
These interventions were subsequently tested in real-life conditions for 4.5 months and proved both feasible and effective within drivers’ daily work routines.
Results
- Drivers showed a calmer driving style on average, particularly in residential areas.
- Certain interventions, such as real-time stress notifications and exercise therapy, led to measurable reductions in stress levels.
- The impact on sleep was limited (as it was not the core focus of the interventions), with strong individual differences.
- Interviews revealed that the project significantly increased drivers’ awareness of stress—an essential foundation for behavioural change.
- The project identified key stressors, ranging from traffic complexity and planning issues to time pressure, communication challenges and limited rest facilities.
