Management practices as antecedents of safety culture within the trucking industry: similarities and differences by hierarchical level

PROBLEM: A homogeneous perception of safety is important for the achievement of a strong safety culture; however, employees may differ in their safety perceptions, depending on their position and/or hierarchical level within the organization. Moreover, there is limited information on the antecedents of safety culture. This study examines how safety training, driver scheduling autonomy, opportunity for safety input, and management commitment to safety influence individuals' perceptions of safety culture. METHOD: Data for this study were drawn from 116 trucking firms, stratified by three safety performance levels. The data were collected from drivers (lowest hierarchical level), dispatchers (medium hierarchical level), and safety directors (highest hierarchical level), regarding their perceptions of their respective corporate safety cultures. Perceptions of safety culture were analyzed through a linear regression using dummy variables to differentiate among the three hierarchical groups. The resulting model allowed for examination of the specific antecedents of safety culture for the three employee groups and the extent to which the hierarchical groups were in agreement with each other. RESULTS: Driver fatigue training, driver opportunity for safety input, and top management commitment to safety were perceived to be integral determinants of safety culture in all three groups. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Trucking firms seeking to strengthen employees' perceptions of safety culture might begin by improving these safety management practices while appreciating that they may have a different impact depending on the employee's hierarchical position (e.g., drivers' perceptions of safety culture are more influenced by top management commitment and driver fatigue training). A fourth safety practice examined, driver scheduling autonomy, was not found to be instrumental in shaping safety culture for any of the three hierarchical levels. Consistent with previous research, implementation of stronger safety cultures should result in fewer accidents.     

Are pilots at risk of accidents due to fatigue?

PROBLEM: There is concern in the aviation community that pilot schedules can lead to fatigue and increased chance of an aviation accident. Yet despite this concern, there is little empirical analysis showing the relationship between pilot schedules and commercial aviation accidents. This study attempts to demonstrate an empirical relationship between pilot schedules and aviation accidents. METHOD: Data for human factors-related accidents and pilot work patterns were identified. The distribution of pilot work schedule parameters for the accidents was compared to that for all pilots using a chi-square test to determine if the proportions of accidents and length of duty exposure were the same. If the distributions are the same, then one could infer that pilot human factor accidents are not affected by work schedule parameters. RESULTS: The proportion of accidents associated with pilots having longer duty periods is higher than the proportion of longer duty periods for all pilots. DISCUSSION: There is a discernible pattern of increased probability of an accident as duty time increases for commercial aircraft pilots in the United States. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The analysis suggests that establishing limits on duty time for commercial pilots would reduce risk. Such a rule is likely to be expensive and could substantially impact the commercial airlines. In return, there is likely to be a reduction in the risk of commercial aviation accidents due to pilot fatigue.     

Physiological signal analysis for fatigue level of experienced and inexperienced drivers

Objective: We studied the changes in driving fatigue levels of experienced and inexperienced drivers at 3 periods of the day: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.

Methods: Thirty drivers were involved in 120-min real-car driving, and sleepiness ratings (Stanford Sleepiness Scale, SSS; Hoddes et al. 1973 Hoddes E, Zarcone V, Smythe H, Phillips R, Dement WC. Quantification of sleepiness: a new approach. Psychophysiology. 1973;10:431–436.[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, and heart rates (HRs) were recorded. Together with principal component analysis, the relationship between EEG signals and HR was explored and used to determine a comprehensive indicator of driving fatigue. Then the comprehensive indicator was assessed via paired t test.

Results: Experienced and inexperienced drivers behaved significantly differently in terms of subjective fatigue during preliminary trials. At the beginning of trials and after termination, subjective fatigue level was aggravated with prolonged continuous driving. Moreover, we discussed the changing rules of EEG signals and HR and found that with prolonged time, the ratios of δ and β waves significantly declined, whereas that of the θ wave significantly rose. The ratio of (α + θ)/β significantly rose both before trials and after termination, but HR dropped significantly. However, one-factor analysis of variance shows that driving experience significantly affects the θ wave, (α + θ)/β ratio, and HR.

Conclusions: We found that in a monotonous road environment, fatigue symptoms occurred in inexperienced drivers and experienced drivers after about 60 and 80 min of continuous driving, respectively. Therefore, as for drivers with different experiences, restriction on continuous driving time would avoid fatigued driving and thereby eliminate traffic accidents. We find that the comprehensive indicator changes significantly with fatigue level. The integration of different indicators improves the recognition accuracy of different driving fatigue levels.     

基于EEG频谱特征的驾驶员疲劳监测研究

研究表明疲劳驾驶是引发交通伤亡事故的重要原因之一,因此有必要采取相应的预防措施。脑电是公认的睡眠(疲劳)金指标,因此论文提出了基于脑电频谱特征的驾驶员疲劳预测方法。采用了驾驶模拟实验中记录的三路驾驶员脑电信号,并利用驾驶员自评与专家评定两种方式相结合的方法将驾驶数据分为疲劳和清醒。针对脑电中眼电噪声很强的特点,对记录的脑电进行了自适应滤波消噪处理,结果显示可有效滤除眼电伪迹;然后根据脑电的频域特征比较突出且与疲劳相关的特点,从去噪后的脑电中提取出了的75个频谱特征;最后利用这些频谱特征,采用朴素贝叶斯分类的方法建立了驾驶员疲劳监测模型。实验结果表明,该方法能监测出驾驶员84%的疲劳状态。     

Antecedents of fatigue, close calls, and crashes among commercial motor-vehicle drivers

PROBLEM: Minimizing driver fatigue among commercial motor-vehicle (CMV) drivers is a major safety issue in the United States. This study examines the effects of potentially fatigue-inducing factors inherent in truck driving work and company safety management in explaining: (a) drivers driving while fatigued, (b) the frequency of close calls due to fatigue, and (c) actual crashes among CMV drivers. METHOD: Data for this study are derived from a survey of CMV drivers in 116 trucking firms, with all data being driver-reported. The relative roles of fatigue-inducing factors and safety management practices in explaining variation in fatigue, close calls, and crashes are reported, along with the roles of fatigue in affecting close calls and crashes via hierarchical regression. RESULTS: Findings indicated that fatigue-inducing factors inherent in driving work and safety practices accounted for appreciable variation in driving fatigued (R(2) =.42) and close calls (R(2) =.35), but not crash involvement. Driving while fatigued also accounted for incremental increases in the amount of variation in close calls, after consideration of inherent factors and safety practices. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Findings indicate that safety practices (e.g., establishment of a strong safety culture, dispatcher scheduling practices, company assistance with fatiguing behaviors such as loading and unloading) have considerable potential to offset fatigue-inducing factors associated with truck driving work.     

高速公路驾驶员主动疲劳的脑电检测分析

为开发高速公路驾驶疲劳预警系统,保障道路交通安全,基于脑电(EEG)数据功率谱分析方法,探索驾驶员主动疲劳与脑电指标(θ+α)/β的关系,首先,开展模拟驾驶试验,采集21名被试驾驶状态的脑电信号,分析α(8～13 Hz),β(13～30 Hz),θ(0.5～4 Hz)这3个频段的脑电波,计算脑电合并指标(θ+α)/β;然后,运用瑞典行业疲劳问卷(SOFI),比较驾驶员执行驾驶任务前后的疲劳状态,分析心理测量和脑电测量结果的回归拟合效度。结果表明:在高速公路复杂驾驶任务中,驾驶员脑电合并指标(θ+α)/β呈现下降趋势,同时,(θ+α)/β与驾驶员主观疲劳程度有显著的正向拟合关系,拟合解释率达50%;脑电指标(θ+α)/β可实时预测驾驶员主动疲劳状态。     

Examining the relationship between driver distraction and driving errors: A discussion of theory, studies and methods

Over the past two decades the concept of driver distraction has been the focus of intense research attention. One aspect of distraction for which there has been limited systematic research, however, is its role in driver error causation. This article presents a review of the distraction literature with a view to elucidating what is currently known about the types of driving errors that distraction contributes to and the mechanisms by which distraction induces these errors. The review revealed a number of fundamental gaps in our knowledge, including the number and nature of errors made by drivers when distracted; the mechanisms by which distraction causes errors; whether and how distraction disrupts drivers’ ability to recover from errors; and how system-wide factors moderate the relationship between distraction and error. In closing, we attempt to identify the most appropriate theoretical and methodological approach to drive the integrated study of distraction and error forward. We conclude that it is only through the adoption of a systems approach that integrated countermeasures can be proposed and implemented to mitigate driver errors caused by distraction.     

Gender differences in driver's license theory test scores in the Netherlands

INTRODUCTION: Gender differences were investigated in a sample of persons (N=34,755) who completed the driver's license theory test in the Netherlands. RESULTS: Contrary to recent findings from Sweden, no gender differences were found. IMPACT OF INDUSTRY: The present study signifies the importance of standardization in driver testing.     

地铁驾驶员驾驶疲劳状态监测

为监测地铁自动驾驶系统驾驶模式下驾驶员驾驶疲劳状态,以S地铁公司的驾驶员为研究对象,开展驾驶员疲劳主、客观监测研究。主观监测应用《自觉症状调查表》调查并统计分析地铁驾驶员的驾驶主观疲劳感受;客观监测应用Eegosports 64通道无线脑电肌电系统测量地铁驾驶员在各班次、各时间段的脑电(EEG)信号,并结合Matlab工具箱中的EEGLAB分析各班次驾驶员EEG中δ波的频谱图。结果表明:驾驶员驾驶疲劳总体的平均得分为1.8分,即驾驶疲劳有些明显,且晚班和夜班驾驶疲劳比白班的大,从主客观2方面说明驾驶员处于疲劳驾驶状态。     

减速机齿轮表面探伤优化选择

采用模糊集的贴近度计算对齿轮表面探伤方法进行了优化选择,表明旋转磁场探伤是齿轮表面探伤的最佳方法,在实用中检测出大量的正在延伸扩展的表面疲劳裂纹.     

Enhancing older driver safety: A driving survey and evaluation of the CarFit program

Objective

To evaluate CarFit, an educational program designed to promote optimal alignment of driver with vehicle.

Methods

A driving activity survey was sent to 727 randomly selected participants living in retirement communities. Drivers (n = 195) were assigned randomly to CarFit intervention (n = 83, M age = 78.1) or Comparison (n = 112, M age = 79.6) groups. After 6 months, participants completed a post-test of driving activity and CarFit recommendations.

Results

Nonconsenting drivers were older and participated in fewer driving activities. CarFit participation was moderate (71%) with 86% of the participants receiving recommendations. 60% followed the recommendations at the 6-month re-evaluation). The CarFit (67.6%) and Comparison (59.3%) groups reported at least one type of self-regulation of driving activity at baseline. There was no significant change in the driving behaviors at the six-month follow-up.

Conclusion

CarFit was able to detect addressable opportunities that may contribute to the safety of older drivers.

Impact on industry

CarFit recommendations may need stronger reinforcement in order to be enacted by a participant.     

Driver education and graduated licensing in North America: past, present, and future

PROBLEM: A stated objective of driver education in North America is to produce safer drivers, typically defined as drivers less likely to crash. This paper examines the extent to which driver education has achieved this objective independently as well as the extent to which such programs can support the success of graduated licensing in reducing young driver crashes. In so doing, it discusses past experiences, recent developments, and the future direction of driver education and training in relation to graduated driver licensing. METHOD: Literature review and synthesis. RESULTS: Driver education programs have yet to demonstrate consistent attainment of their safety objectives. Moreover, they have not been found to enhance the safety effectiveness of graduated licensing programs--indeed, some practices, for example, "time discounts" for driver education have actually had a detrimental effect on teen safety. DISCUSSION: Despite its disappointing safety record to date, it is important not to abandon driver education. In particular, there are opportunities to improve driver education so that it achieves its safety objectives, and ensure that programs in the future complement graduated driver licensing and contribute to its overall safety benefits. Current and future efforts to improve driver education and better integrate it with graduated licensing programs, however, need to be rigorously evaluated to determine what does and does not work to reduce young driver crashes, and as importantly, to understand why this is the case. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Improved driver education integrated with graduated driver licensing has potential safety benefits.     

Identifying an appropriate driving behaviour scale for the occupational driving context: The DBQ vs. the ODBQ

Self reported driving behaviour in the occupational driving context has typically been measured through scales adapted from the general driving population (i.e., the Manchester Driver Behaviour Questionnaire, (DBQ), Reason et al., 1990). However, research suggests that occupational driving is influenced by unique factors operating within the workplace environment, and thus, a behavioural scale should reflect those behaviours prevalent and unique within the driving context. To overcome this limitation, Newnam et al. (2011) developed the Occupational Driver Behaviour Questionnaire ((ODBQ), Newnam et al., 2011) which utilises a relevant theoretical model to assess the impact of the broader workplace context on driving behaviour. Although the theoretical argument has been established, research is yet to examine whether the ODBQ or the DBQ is a more sensitive measure of the workplace context. As such, this paper identifies selected organisational factors (i.e., safety climate and role overload) as predictors of the DBQ and the ODBQ and compares the relative predictive value in both models. In undertaking this task, 248 occupational drivers were recruited from a community-oriented nursing population. As predicted, hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the organisational factors accounted for a significantly greater proportion of variance in the ODBQ than the DBQ. These findings offer a number of practical and theoretical applications for occupational driving practice and future research.     

A challenge to the assumed generalizability of prediction and countermeasure for risky driving: different factors predict different risky driving behaviors

In road safety, it may be debated whether all risky behaviors are sufficiently similar to be explained by similar factors. The often assumed generalizability of the factors that influence risky driving behaviors has been inadequately tested. Study 1 (N=116) examined the role of demographic, personality and attitudinal factors in the prediction of a range of risky driving behaviors, for young drivers. Results illustrated that different driving behaviors were predicted by different factors (e.g., speeding was predicted by authority--rebellion, while drink driving was predicted by sensation seeking and optimism bias). Study 2 (N=127) examined the generalizability of these results to the general driving population. Study 1 results did not generalize. Predictive factors remained behavior-specific, but different predictor-behavior relationships were observed in the community sample. Overall, results suggest that future research and practice should focus on a multi-factor framework for specific risky driving behaviors, rather than assuming generalizability across behaviors and driving populations.     

基于脑电数据的管制架次对管制员疲劳影响研究

为量化研究管制区域内飞机架次的时空变化对管制员疲劳的影响,设计相应测试方案进行试验研究.有针对性地选取20名在职管制员分别在大、小夜班的班前和班后进行试验,采集完成不同流量等级下雷达模拟机任务过程中的管制员的脑电(EEG)信号数据,从数据中提取疲劳指标值,运用SPSS20.0软件统计分析指标值,根据管制员的岗龄将其分成...