EFFECTIVE COMMERCIAL TRUCK AND BUS SAFETY MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

This synthesis will be of use to commercial truck and bus carriers and others interested in improving commercial vehicle safety. It provides a useful summary of practice in the area of commercial truck and bus safety management techniques. The synthesis focuses on the problems fleet managers confront and the methods that are available to address these problems. Twenty discrete safety problems and 28 safety management methods are identified. Problems addressed encompass driver-safety knowledge, skills, alertness, physical/medical condition, attitudes, and driving behaviors. In addition, several vehicle-related problem areas, including vehicle maintenance and inspection, are discussed. Major safety management approaches addressed include driver recruiting and selection, carrier-based training, management-driver communications, driver safety-performance evaluation, safety incentives, behavior-based safety, on-board safety monitoring, event-data recorders, accident investigation, improved driver scheduling and dispatching, fatigue management, carrier-based medical programs, preventive maintenance and vehicle inspection, advanced safety technologies, and industry-based safety standards and certification. The synthesis is based on a review of relevant literature, as well as a survey of commercial motor vehicle safety managers (139 respondents) and other experts in motor carrier safety (57 respondents).