1. Human Factors in Commercial Vehicle Safety
Pierre Thiffault, Ph.D.
Chair of CCMTA’s Human Factors and Motor Carrier Safety Task Force
CARSP – Halifax 2016

2. Human Factors and Motor Carrier Safety Task Force
Review crash-causation science, identify problems, identify intervention leads in scientific literature;
Review current situation in Canada;
Generate basic strategy;
Purely scientific, risk-based & theory-driven, no policy considerations;

3. summing up
Studies, data, confirm significant role of driver behavior in 80-90% of CMV crashes;
Recognition and decision errors are key issues;
RE: inattention (fatigue and distraction);
DE: Whole spectrum of high-risk behaviors.
Reviewed science for contributing factors and intervention leads, assessed current situation in Canada, drafted set of 45 recommendations.

4. Human factors engineering
Task design, instrument panel, fleet communications devices, telematics, on- board safety technologies;
Distraction: Inventory current in-vehicle technologies with potential for distraction (OEM and nomadic devices), for driving and non-driving tasks;
Distracting potential;
Development process, human factors guidelines.

5. behavioral science, psychology
Hired employees: Interviews/driver selection process, assessment (CTBSSP #21) ;
Entry level training, driver improvement programs, monitoring;
Motivation: Incentive programs, disciplinary processes;
Safety culture and risk, safety management systems, attitudes, subjective norms;
Health and wellness programs.

6. Cross-cutting actions
Investigate the determinants of the decision to:
Keep driving while drowsy;
Use distractors while driving;
Deliberately engage in risky driving behaviors;
Theory of planned behaviors;
Apply tailored interventions/remedial actions.

7. Cross-cutting actions
Scrutinize training curricula in light with regards to fatigue, distraction and high-risk driving in light of criteria listed in report;
If not covered, develop material, promote inclusion;
Should also be covered in testing and licensing.

8. The human factors report
310 pages, more the 500 scientific references, 45 specific recommendations to address fatigue, distraction and high-risk driving;
Report available for free here:
home/item/addressing-human-factors-in-the-motor- carrier-industry-in-canada
Contact: Pierre Thiffault )