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Traffic Safety Culture: Recent Publications

This program is a cooperative effort of participating state DOTs and other organizations vested in traffic safety.

Latest TSC Research

This research feed posts 20 of the most recent publications related to the topic of Traffic Safety Culture. Results are taken from TRID and are automatically updated.

  • A Comprehensive Analysis of Competency and Training Perspectives among Air Traffic ControllersThis link opens in a new windowDec 30, 2024
    The aim of the study was to examine air traffic controllers’ perspectives on competency, performance, and training. Analysing data from 182 participants, the results revealed a strong focus on competency with the controllers actively evaluating their skills. Notably, the experienced controllers (19+ years) displayed a heightened commitment to continuous learning, reflected in their higher participation in individual training and perception of its value for their career goals and adaptation to the evolving aviation industry. Competency-based training programs also received positive feedback across experience levels, highlighting their potential effectiveness. Moreover, training was universally perceived as key to performance throughout careers. These results highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning within air traffic control (ATC) communities. Aviation authorities can support this by providing diverse training opportunities, including individual and competency-based programs. Future research should continue investigating the impact of technological advancements and AI/machine learning on ATC competencies, the effectiveness of competency based training programs, and the role of individual training in competency development, ultimately ensuring the vital role of air traffic controllers in aviation safety. © 2024 The Author(s).
  • Aviation Investigation Report: In-Flight Collision During Air Show Commemorative Air Force Boeing B-17G, N7227C, and Bell P-63F, N6763, Dallas, Texas, November 12, 2022This link opens in a new windowDec 30, 2024
    This report discusses the November 12, 2022, accident involving two historic, former military airplanes operated by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) that collided in flight during a performance in the CAF’s Wings Over Dallas air show. The pilot, copilot, flight engineer, and two scanners on board the Boeing B-17G and the pilot of the Bell P-63F were fatally injured, and both airplanes were destroyed. No injuries to persons on the ground were reported. Safety issues identified in this report included the limited ability of the Boeing B-17G pilot and the Bell P-63F pilot to see and avoid each other’s airplane due, in part, to the inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept for collision avoidance; the air boss’s ineffective aircraft deconfliction strategy for the accident performance; the lack of adequate air show safety oversight, risk assessments, and air boss oversight; air show safety culture issues; and the need for standardized terms for air show communications to ensure clarity and brevity. As a result of this investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board makes four safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration, two safety recommendations to the International Council of Air Shows Inc., and one safety recommendation to the CAF.
  • 2022 Traffic Safety Culture IndexThis link opens in a new windowDec 19, 2024
    As in previous years, this report details the data collection methodology and summarizes major national-level results of the 15th annual Traffic Safety Culture Index (TSCI). In addition, this report includes an in-depth analysis to identify and describe profiles of risky driving behavior. Results of the 2022 TSCI are presented in two sections. The first section includes the overall results regarding perceived danger, perceived risk of apprehension, social disapproval, self-reporting of behaviors, and support of safety laws related to various risky driving behaviors (distracted driving, aggressive driving, drowsy driving, impaired driving). The second section uses a latent class approach to characterize respondents into driver profiles according to their reported risky driving behaviors. The analysis then considers associations between different driver profiles and demographic characteristics.
  • 2023 Traffic Safety Culture IndexThis link opens in a new windowDec 19, 2024
    As in previous years, this report details the data collection methodology and summarizes major national-level results of the 16th annual Traffic Safety Culture Index (TSCI). In addition, this report includes an in-depth analysis to identify risky driving styles, explore associations with demographic factors, and examine differences in attitudes and beliefs. Results of the 2023 TSCI are presented in two sections. The first section includes the overall results regarding perceived danger, perceived risk of apprehension, social disapproval, self-reporting of behaviors, and support of safety laws related to various risky driving behaviors (distracted driving, aggressive driving, drowsy driving, impaired driving). The second section uses a latent class approach to characterize respondents into driver profiles according to their reported risky driving behaviors. The analysis then considers associations between different driver profiles and demographic, geographic, vehicle-related, and driving habit characteristics and explores differences in attitudes and beliefs.
  • Implementing the Safe System Approach at Intersections in UtahThis link opens in a new windowDec 17, 2024
    This research project investigates the principles and elements of the Safe System Approach, a new paradigm in roadway safety. A compendium of practice was created to determine recommendations on how to implement the Safe System Approach at intersections and observe how other jurisdictions are implementing it. Several strategies identified include the Safe Systems at Intersections (SSI) methodology, Safe System Alignment Frameworks, Vision Zero communities, incorporating the Safe System Approach into the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) or Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), mandating the Safe System Approach be considered in all projects, and the Organizational Safety Culture Self-Assessment. These policies do not exclusively implement the Safe System Approach at intersections but help organizations to adopt the Safe System Approach and move beyond traditional safety methods. Guidance for Safe System design was also investigated, including the Safe System Roadway Design Hierarchy and the Safe System Approach Framework. Commonly identified physical countermeasures that implement the Safe System Approach at intersections were evaluated. The countermeasures were sorted into tables according to the type of safety impact provided. Commonly identified policies and practices were also organized, although they do not apply specifically to intersections. Based on the results of this research, several recommendations for UDOT include encouraging local communities to become Vision Zero communities, incorporating SSI into the Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) program, institutionalizing the Safe System Approach through the FHWA Organizational Safety Culture Self-Assessment, updating the SHSP, strategic goals, vision, and implementing pilot programs or additional research on various countermeasures and strategies.
  • “We try our best to follow traffic rules because we don't want Hong Kong people to lose face”: Assimilation from transit to motorcycles among Hong Kong students in TaiwanThis link opens in a new windowNov 27, 2024
    Although the transport assimilation experiences of various East-to-West immigrant groups have been studied, those of international students have received little attention. This study explores the transport assimilation process of Hong Kong students in Taiwan, with a focus on their transition from a public transport-orientated society to one centred on motorcycles. Data were collected through secondary sources of news articles and online discussions to understand the context of Hong Kong students' observation of Taiwan's traffic, and then through primary-source interviews with Hong Kong students in Tainan, a typical motorcycle-dominant city in Taiwan. The analysis adopted an inductive, thematic approach guided by the acculturation framework. Results reveal disparities between the transport and traffic cultures of Hong Kong and Taiwan, leading to acculturative stress and the adoption of motorcycles as a primary mode of transport. However, motorcycle riding introduced new acculturative stress due to unwritten traffic norms and local driving behaviours. Job opportunities and long-term plans to stay in Taiwan, as well as the ease of obtaining the licence, were motivations for motorcycle use. Nevertheless, by maintaining their sociocultural competence, such as a strong traffic safety culture, those students may delay transport assimilation or cause transport dissimilation. This study contributes to understanding the mobility of international students and suggests that longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the impact of traffic safety culture on transport assimilation and the interrelationships between motorcycle use and long-term stay in a new society.
  • An Application of Driver Behavior Questionnaire: Case Study of AmmanThis link opens in a new windowNov 20, 2024
    This research used the Manchester Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) to analyze the driving behaviour of a group of a sample of drivers (N = 400) in Amman, the capital of Jordan. An Online Survey was distributed to respondents who accepted to take a part in this research. Out of 50 questions, 20 questions were selected according to the nature of the Jordanian drivers and the questionnaire consisted of two parts, general characteristics of driver and questions about driving behavior. The results of socio-demographic revealed that there were 242 males and 158 females, the largest age group was 19–34 years, and the majority of respondents reported (0–3) injuries in the last three years. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) instrument analysis by Promax with Kaiser Normalization assessed four factors solution (lapses, (deliberately and ordinary) violation and errors). The largest number of items was observed to be correlated with errors in this current sample. Additional analysis showed the potential of certain elements (seven items) to predict injuries through a forecasting model, especially because most of these behaviors are unsafe and their actions lead to collisions. By comparing the average scores, Jordanian drivers were found to have received the lowest scores of Qatari and Emirati drivers, and a similarity was found in the traffic culture between Jordan and Qatar. The main findings of this paper showed the ability of DBQ to analyze the behavior of Jordanian drivers on the road.
  • Inclusive intervention design for vulnerable road users: Applying co-design and behaviour change model in BangladeshThis link opens in a new windowNov 13, 2024
    In developing countries, it is debatable whether poor design of facilities or violation of traffic rules by road users is the leading cause of pedestrian injuries and deaths. Professionals, pedestrians and drivers tend to blame each other. Shared responsibility for road safety is crucial for protecting vulnerable road users such as commuting students and workers who face higher injury risks while crossing highways. While the Safe System approach emphasises authorities’ responsibility for safe facilities, understanding user needs and promoting behaviour change remain underexplored. This study investigates the current design practices in Bangladesh. It compares the impact of conventional design with co-design on intervention quality and examines the further benefits of integrating a behaviour change model ‘COM-B’.Local road agency professionals applied the design process and suggested interventions at four highway sites. Subsequently, four focus group sessions were conducted with students and workers, followed by four design workshops. In each workshop, participants were randomly assigned to two design groups (without and with the application of the behaviour change model), where they designed interventions facilitated by professionals. Lastly, perception ratings of stakeholders and safety assessments by four experts were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of all interventions.The findings highlight major usability problems in conventional designs, while co-designed interventions demonstrate clear improvements. Notably, integrating a behaviour change model further enhances effectiveness. Stakeholder interviews reveal that co-design fosters shared responsibility and addresses the blame culture. The co-design approach and application of the behaviour change model can address design flaws and promote the proper use of facilities.
  • Assessing the Critical Factors Influencing Worker Safety in Roadway Work ZonesThis link opens in a new windowNov 11, 2024
    Ongoing roadway construction and maintenance activities are essential for sustaining and improving infrastructure. Nonetheless, work zones in the United States continue to experience concerning frequencies of occupational and traffic accidents. Previous research highlighted multiple factors influencing work zone safety, yet their relative impact and importance remain unclear. This study addresses this gap following a multistep methodology. First, 32 safety factors were identified through an extensive literature review in a previous study. Second, a survey was administered among 298 professionals from diverse backgrounds, with an average of 17.75 years of construction experience and 13.78 years of work zone experience, to assess the importance of identified factors on worker safety. Third, data reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and survey responses were evaluated to uncover experts’ perceptions regarding the criticality of factors affecting worker safety. Lastly, clustering analysis was utilized to group the recorded levels of work zone safety factor criticality. Survey results indicate that driver-related factors, such as drivers’ level of attention and unsafe driving, are perceived as most critical to worker safety in work zones. Conversely, factors associated with motor vehicles, conditions of construction equipment, and technological sophistication are perceived as the least critical. Findings from the clustering analysis revealed three groups of factors with varying levels of criticality, where the most critical group comprised driver, work, and design-related factors. The findings of this study contribute to guiding state DOTs and safety practitioners in enhancing their safety practices and culture with a focus on worker-centered perceptions. Additionally, this analysis identifies key areas for future research that are vital for improving worker safety in work zones. These include exploring underexplored factors, such as driver impairment, level of attention, and clarity of signage and markings, among others.
  • Every Day Counts: Innovation for a Nation on the Move: EDC-7 Progress Report #1This link opens in a new windowNov 8, 2024
    Every Day Counts (EDC) is the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) program to advance a culture of innovation in the transportation community in partnership with public and private stakeholders. Through this State-based effort, FHWA coordinates rapid deployment of proven strategies and technologies to shorten the project delivery process, enhance roadway safety, reduce traffic congestion, and integrate automation. This report summarizes the April 2024 status of deployment for the seven innovations in the seventh round of EDC. The report is intended to be a resource for transportation stakeholders as they develop their deployment plans and to encourage innovation in managing highway project delivery to better serve the Nation. Innovations discussed in this report include: nighttime visibility for safety; Next-Generation traffic incident management (TIM); integrating greenhouse gas (GHG) assessment and reduction targets in transportation planning; enhancing performance with internally cured concrete (EPIC²); Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for sustainable project delivery; rethinking Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) for design-build; and strategic workforce development.
  • Towards measuring national railways’ safety through a benchmarking framework of transparency and published dataThis link opens in a new windowNov 8, 2024
    Safety is paramount in railway transportation. Learning best practices of risk data reporting and documentation from different railway systems help to better identify safety issues. However, literature shows that comparing statistics between different systems or countries is usually unreliable without comparable data. Globally, railway risk data is not universally collected or published, so the lack of transparency prevents appropriate analyses. In this paper, the authors set out to assess the availability of railway risk data around the world and develop an evaluation framework to support cohesive benchmarks. A total of 148 countries that operate railways were analyzed firstly by the public availability of safety statistics, and secondly by their performance against five KPIs in the years between 2015 and 2020. On average, 40 out of 148 countries consistently reported at least three of the five KPIs. It was found that more countries reported data on accident types than on their effects. More importantly, findings highlight the vast disparity of reporting and availability between the Global North and South and demonstrate how applications of the framework showed how the framework can be used to improve overall railway safety. Further work may focus on establishing narrower scope work where countries may benchmark themselves against high-performing counterparts and identify structures and processes that lead to better safety conditions. Moreover, it is anticipated that the framework may also encourage the culture of publishing data to identify whether safety is improving, shifting the stigma of reporting negative events towards a more open approach to benchmarking.
  • Is it safe to be safe? Examining underreporting and presenteeism among European pilots: The role of employment typeThis link opens in a new windowNov 8, 2024
    Atypical employment among pilots is a growing concern in the European aviation industry. Following deregulation, atypical forms of employment (e.g., being employed by subsidiaries or agencies, or on a temporary basis) have become more common, raising concerns about their implications for flight safety and pilots’ safety behaviors. It is suggested that pilots in such forms of employment experience greater job insecurity and will thus refrain from certain safety behaviors as it is more advantageous to their tenure. This cross-sectional survey study aimed at examining deviations in safety behaviors, such as underreporting and presenteeism (attending work while ill), with regards to typically and atypically employed pilots (N = 4,546).Pilots in atypical employment reported significantly higher frequencies of both presenteeism (47.5% vs. 31%) and underreporting (59.5% vs. 41.2%) when compared to their typically employed counterparts. Those atypically employed were more likely to cite fear of disciplinary action or dismissal as the reason for not adhering to safety practices. Underreporting and presenteeism were common, with organizational barriers, e.g., lack of feedback, being primary drivers, in line with previous research. Personal financial reasons were the most prevalent factor motivating presenteeism, regardless of employment type. The present study highlights the frequent occurrence of presenteeism and underreporting in the European aviation industry, highlighting a need for regulatory, organizational, and safety management attention to address these inclinations. While employment type is associated with these behaviors, further research is needed to understand better the mechanisms influencing pilots’ decisions to underreport and attend work in unfit states.
  • Safety climate and its contribution to safety performance in the food delivery industryThis link opens in a new windowOct 23, 2024
    In the expanding food delivery sector, particularly in Asia, where motorcycles are preferred for their efficiency, there has been an alarming rise in traffic safety incidents involving delivery riders. This increase highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of safety outcomes within the industry, encompassing both organizational and personal factors. The study, using data from 401 motorcycle delivery riders in Vietnam, addresses this gap with a conceptual model based on the Safety Climate Model. This model assesses the impact of safety climate, knowledge, and motivation on rider safety performance. The findings reveal that factors like management values, effective safety communication, and quality safety equipment are crucial in creating a positive safety climate. This climate significantly boosts safety participation and compliance among riders. Furthermore, the study confirms that safety climate indirectly influences safety outcomes through safety knowledge and motivation. These results illustrate the dynamic between organizational practices and individual behaviors in determining safety in the food delivery industry. The study underscores the need for a holistic approach to safety, extending beyond equipment provision to include management commitment, communication, and motivational incentives. Implementing such comprehensive strategies is vital for enhancing rider safety, contributing to a safer work environment, and reducing safety–critical incidents among food delivery riders.
  • Creating a positive road safety culture through community partnershipsThis link opens in a new windowOct 15, 2024
    GMC is committed to implementing road safety into the Local Government Areas (LGA) through multi-sectorial partnerships. GMC Road Safety and Traffic Officer (RSTO) produced GMC Road Safety Action Plan 2021-2025, which was endorsed by Council, after researching local crash statistics, engaging with community on local issues and inspecting local road network. The Action Plan was designed to create a positive road safety culture in the community and to foster successful, multi-sectorial partnerships functioning across community. GMC is working towards this achievement by collaborating with Police, local community groups, local businesses and the community. Working together in cross sector partnerships has proven an innovative approach to road safety challenges, aiming to impregnate road safety into everyday life and ensuring the community take ownership. Programs were developed out of these relationships addressing numerous behavioral issues as well as network infrastructure problems and the presentation will cover examples of these programs.
  • Safety underreporting during naval operations: Prevalence, associated risk, and several contributing factorsThis link opens in a new windowOct 4, 2024
    Workplace safety concerns or violations are often underreported, which can result in small issues manifesting into a mishap or accident. Safety underreporting can also be difficult to track since, by definition, workers are knowingly failing to report issues. Unfortunately, underreporting remains pervasive even in high-risk occupations where safety issues may produce exceptionally dangerous and costly outcomes. This study investigated safety underreporting in the context of naval operations using a multi-level, multi-factor approach to evaluate underreporting with three study aims: 1) determine the prevalence of safety underreporting in a naval environment; 2) estimate the link between underreporting and real-world safety incidents; and finally, 3) identify the relative contribution of different factors to underreporting. Analyzes examined a large (N>11,000) sample of active-duty servicemembers who voluntarily participated in a routine online anonymous safety climate survey. Approximately 30% of respondents underreported safety incidents despite the high-risk occupational setting, and Monte Carlo simulations provided estimates for safety underreporting frequency aboard different ship-classes. Additional regression analyses linked safety underreporting aboard ship to actual safety issues (e.g., fire and electrical shock) thereby underscoring the real-world relationship. Finally, hierarchical logistic regression estimated that the most consistent predictor of safety underreporting was making prior reports of safety incidents. For every additional safety event reported, there was a 65 % increase in the likelihood of failing to report safety issues. The next most significant predictors were non-compliance attitudes toward safety regulations at the individual and crew level. Taken together, these results demonstrate the prevalence of underreporting in a naval environment while implicating several key contributing factors, including frequency of safety incidents in the work environment and non-compliance attitudes. This study’s findings highlight the importance of actively leveraging approaches to counter underreporting (e.g., anonymous reporting systems) and promoting positive safety climates to improve safety reporting and reduce negative outcomes (e.g., mishaps and accidents).