Safety Manager and Commercial Driver Opinions and Acceptance nce of Onboard Safety Systems

摘要

The purpose of this project was to collect qualitative information on the acceptance and utility ofthree onboard safety systems (OBSS) using focus groups with driver and safety managementpersonnel. These OBSS technologies were forward collision warning (FCW), lane departurewarning (LDW), and roll stability control (RSC) systems. Topics addressed in the focus groupsincluded participant perceptions and opinions of each OBSS. It was anticipated that theinformation obtained from drivers and safety managers regarding their opinions and perceptionsof these OBSSs will advance their use in the trucking industry. Twelve focus groups wereconducted, six each with drivers and safety managers (drivers and safety managers attendedseparate meetings to ensure an open and frank discussion). Several themes regarding the carriers'OBSSs were discussed during the focus group meetings, including: training, benefits of thesystems, drawbacks of the systems, and suggestions for improvement. The research teamorganized participants' comments regarding each of these themes using content analyses.Regarding FCW, drivers were "satisfied" with the technology and "strongly agreed" that FCWwas effective in improving safety; staff were "satisfied" and "very satisfied" with FCW and"strongly agreed" that FCW was effective in improving safety. Regarding LDW, drivers were"satisfied" with the technology and "strongly agreed" that LDW was effective in improvingsafety; staff were "satisfied" with LDW and "strongly agreed" that LDW was effective inimproving safety. Regarding RSC, drivers were "satisfied" with RSC and "strongly agreed" thatRSC was effective in improving safety.