Situation awareness in tractors

Situation awareness (SA) has been identified as a key skill in maintaining safety in high-risk, dynamic industries. However, there is a lack of research evaluating SA requirements and error types in farming.

The aim of this qualitative online survey study was to explore situation awareness among farmers in the UK when driving tractors.

The results indicated that situation awareness requirements span the machinery system, including awareness of internal cab systems and the status of implements attached to the external machine. Farmers needed to map and monitor the surrounding conditions in addition to considering personal requirements. Data also indicated the impact of a range of factors, including system-based elements such as blind spots and individual factors such as level of fatigue, on the maintenance of situation awareness.

If you are a tractor driver please take a look at the FREE copy of the tractor driver checklist below – developed on the basis of this research.