25 Years of FAST

The Birth of FAST

Twenty-five years ago, fatigue was one of the least understood threats to safety in military, aviation, and transportation operations. In response, we released the Visual Basic Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool (VB-FAST) — a software platform that graphically displayed predictive performance and alertness.

Soon known simply as FAST, the tool quickly became more than just code. It was adopted by the U.S. Air Force and Army as the common warfighter fatigue model. Not long after, the Federal Railroad Administration validated FAST for analyzing fatigue in nighttime passenger operations. The FAA used it as a scientific guide for Part 117 regulations, cementing its role as a trusted bio-mathematical model for safety-critical industries.

Validation and Adoption Across Industries

FAST wasn’t just for the military. A later version adapted for commercial aviation incorporated airline-specific features and terminology, broadening its reach.

In 2016, FAST evolved into the SAFTE-FAST Console, which integrated the model into a modern interface. By 2018, users could not only visualize fatigue metrics but also track circadian phase, workload, and sleep intensity. Schedules became interactive — events could be added, adjusted, or highlighted with markers, giving organizations new ways to manage fatigue in real time.

Over the years, validation studies funded by the Department of Transportation confirmed its accuracy in predicting crew performance. These efforts laid the groundwork for FAST’s adoption across industries such as railroads, airlines, and shiftwork operations.

A Behavioral Scientist’s Perspective

The motivation behind FAST was simple but ambitious: to create a decision aid for military leaders to forecast fatigue and optimize performance. Thanks to funding from the US Department of Defense and a partnership with NTI, our efforts ultimately led to the development of the Fatigue Avoidance Software Tool with Dr. Tim Elsmore. Over time, it grew into something much larger — a safety tool that now spans over 80 organizations across five continents.

For me, as a behavioral scientist, this kind of impact is akin to curing a disease. The “disease” in this case is fatigue caused by demanding work schedules — a hidden risk to both individuals and the public. Seeing FAST influence not only operational decision-making but also public policy on fatigue management worldwide has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

Looking Ahead

Now, in 2025, we stand at another milestone: the launch of a fully web-based version of SAFTE-FAST, built on a user’s own database of projects. This next generation brings the same trusted science to a more accessible, flexible platform.

As I look back over 25 years, I’m proud of the research, the validations, and the impact FAST has had on safety and public health. From its roots in Visual Basic to its future on the web, FAST has always been about one mission: helping people understand and manage fatigue so they can perform at their best, safely.