Matthew C. Camden

Efficacy of roll stability control and lane departure warning systems using carrier-collected data.

INTRODUCTION Large truck crashes have significantly declined over the last 10 years, likely due, in part, to the increased use of onboard safety systems (OSS). Unfortunately, historically there is a paucity of data on the real-world efficacy of these devices in large trucks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the two OSSs, lane departure warning (LDW) and roll stability control (RSC), using data collected from motor carriers. METHOD A retrospective cohort approach was used to assess the safety benefits of these OSSs installed on Class 7 and 8 trucks as they operated during normal revenue-producing deliveries. Data were collected from 14 carriers representing small, medium, and large carriers hauling a variety of commodities. The data consisted of a total of 88,112 crash records and 151,624 truck-years that traveled 13 billionmiles over the observation period. RESULTS The non-LDW cohort had an LDW-related crash rate that was 1.917 times higher than the LDW cohort (p=0.001), and the non-RSC cohort had an RSC-related crash rate that was 1.555 times higher than the RSC cohort (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results across analyses indicated a strong, positive safety benefit for LDW and RSC under real-world conditions. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The results support the use of LDW and RSC in reducing the crash types associated with each OSS.

Field Demonstration of Heavy Vehicle Camera/Video Imaging Systems

To help drivers monitor the road and to reduce blind spots, Camera/Video Imaging Systems (C/VISs) display video from cameras mounted on the truck’s exterior to drivers using displays inside the truck cabin. This report investigated drivers’ performance with C/VISs in a real-world trucking operation. Twelve commercial drivers’ performance with and without a C/VIS was continuously recorded while they each drove for four months. Half of the drivers used a commercially available C/VIS that had a side-view camera on each fender. The other drivers used an advanced C/VIS (A-C/VIS) that had side-view cameras, a rear-view camera, and night-vision capabilities. The results show that when a C/VIS was provided: 1) drivers’ involvement in safety-critical events (SCEs) did not change, 2) the probability that drivers looked forward did not change, 3) drivers were more likely to use the C/VIS at night and when making right lane changes, and 4) drivers indicated that the C/VISs helped them become aware of surrounding objects and merge into traffic. In terms of disbenefits, some drivers indicated that glare from the commercially available C/VIS monitors, as positioned to specifications, could be uncomfortable at night. The A-C/VIS’s advanced features were highly rated by drivers. The rear-view camera was also used more than the left or right fender cameras.

An observational study of the safety benefits of electronic logging devices using carrier-collected data

ABSTRACT Objective: Fatigue has been shown to be a contributing factor in many large truck crashes. Long duty periods, irregular work schedules, and poor sleeping environments make fatigue a noteworthy concern in trucking operations. One way to limit fatigued driving is through prescriptive hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. This duty status information is typically recorded in written logs; however, more trucking companies are moving toward electronic HOS recorders. These devices were first marketed as productivity tools; however, more recently they have been touted for their safety benefits in reducing fatigued truck drivers (because falsifying electronic logs is difficult). Methods: The purpose of the current study was to assess the benefits of electronic logging devices (ELDs) on safety and HOS violations in trucks as they operated during normal revenue service. Data on crashes, HOS violations, mileage, and onboard safety systems were obtained from participating motor carriers. Although the final data sets included data from 11 carriers representing medium and large carriers (including a total of 82,943 crashes, 970 HOS violations, and 224,034 truck-years that drove a total of 15.6 billion miles), the data set in the study was skewed toward larger, for-hire carriers and may not represent the overall U.S. trucking population. Results: After controlling for calendar year, carriers in the data set, onboard safety system status, and long-haul/regional indicator, ELD-equipped trucks had a significantly lower total crash rate (11.7% reduction), preventable crash rate (5.1% reduction), driving-related HOS violation rate (53% reduction), and non-driving-related HOS violation rate (49% reduction) than trucks not equipped with ELDs. Conclusion: The results show a clear safety benefit, in terms of crash and HOS violation reductions, for trucks equipped with ELDs.

Commercial Driver Acceptance of Heavy Vehicle Camera/Video Imaging Systems

Large trucks are estimated to be involved in 20,311 crashes annually as a result of making improper lane changes, turns, and backing maneuvers. Camera/Video Imaging Systems (C/VISs) are designed to be a low cost countermeasure to these crash types by reducing the blind spots located around large trucks. Their effectiveness, however, depends on whether drivers accept and use this technology. This paper investigates drivers’ opinions of C/VISs that were measured from 12 drivers who each partook in a four-month C/VIS technology field demonstration (TFD). The TFD investigated the utility of two C/VISs in assisting commercial drivers as they drove on revenue-producing routes. Drivers completed questionnaires pertaining to their perceptions of their driving performance and the C/VISs every two weeks while in the study. Drivers’ indicated that the C/VISs reduced surrounding blind spots, improved their spatial awareness, and helped them merge into traffic. Overall, commercial drivers should accept C/VISs provided that they cover the right-side blind spot, allow monitors to be substantially dimmed to reduce glare, and do not create new blind spots.

Drug Use and Involvement in a Safety-Critical Event: Pilot Study Using Naturalistic Truck Data

This study used the Naturalistic Truck Driving Study data set to test the feasibility of applying naturalistic data to evaluation of the relationship between prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) drug use and involvement in a safety-critical event (SCE). The risk of drug use was calculated by comparing SCEs and baseline epochs that occurred within a drugs half-life with SCEs and baseline epochs that did not occur within a drugs half-life (for the same half-life period). This research found that nearly 97% of commercial motor vehicle drivers used an OTC drug at least once (mostly caffeine), and 25% used at least one Rx drug. Furthermore, Rx and noncaffeine OTC drug use was not associated with an increased or decreased risk of involvement in an SCE. As caffeine was the only drug classification used multiple times by many drivers, this odds ratio analysis was the only analysis performed. Caffeine use while driving was found to be associated with a decreased risk of SCE involvement in all seven half-lives (half-life odds ratios ranging from 0.44 to 0.66). This project illustrated the feasibility of using a naturalistic driving approach to assess the risk associated with Rx and OTC drug use while driving. It is possible that analyses for specific medications could be performed with a sufficiently large sample of drivers who used each classification of drug.

Prevalence of operator fatigue in winter maintenance operations

Similar to commercial motor vehicle drivers, winter maintenance operators are likely to be at an increased risk of becoming fatigued while driving due to long, inconsistent shifts, environmental stressors, and limited opportunities for sleep. Despite this risk, there is little research concerning the prevalence of winter maintenance operator fatigue during winter emergencies. The purpose of this research was to investigate the prevalence, sources, and countermeasures of fatigue in winter maintenance operations. Questionnaires from 1043 winter maintenance operators and 453 managers were received from 29 Clear Road member states. Results confirmed that fatigue was prevalent in winter maintenance operations. Over 70% of the operators and managers believed that fatigue has a moderate to significant impact on winter maintenance operations. Approximately 75% of winter maintenance operators reported to at least sometimes drive while fatigued, and 96% of managers believed their winter maintenance operators drove while fatigued at least some of the time. Furthermore, winter maintenance operators and managers identified fatigue countermeasures and sources of fatigue related to winter maintenance equipment. However, the countermeasures believed to be the most effective at reducing fatigue during winter emergencies (i.e., naps) were underutilized. For example, winter maintenance operators reported to never use naps to eliminate fatigue. These results indicated winter maintenance operations are impacted by operator fatigue. These results support the increased need for research and effective countermeasures targeting winter maintenance operator fatigue.

Do the benefits outweigh the costs? Societal benefit-cost analysis of three large truck safety technologies

Although research has found advanced safety technologies to be effective at preventing large truck crashes, limited empirical data exists regarding their cost effectiveness to the U.S. society. Without these data, carriers are hesitant to adopt costly technologies and government agencies are hesitant to create regulation mandating their use. The objective of this study was to provide scientifically-based estimates of the societal benefits and costs of large truck automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning (LDW), and video-based onboard safety monitoring (OSM). For each technology, benefit-cost analyses were performed for installing the technology on all large trucks (including retrofitting existing trucks) and for equipping new large trucks only. Sensitivity analyses examined three cost estimates (low, average, high; values technology-specific), two estimates of system efficacy (low and high; values technology-specific), and three discount rates (0%, 3%, 7%) for each technology. Equipping trucks with LDW and video-based OSM systems were found to be cost effective for all combinations of costs, efficacy, and discount rates examined, for both new and existing trucks. Results for AEB and were mixed. Only a

Benefit–cost analysis of lane departure warning and roll stability control in commercial vehicles

500 AEB system was cost effective when equipping new trucks and retrofitting existing trucks. However, all cost estimates were cost effective with a 28% efficacy rate when only equipping new large trucks. Overall, these data suggested all three technologies can be cost-effective for new large trucks provided the current costs and efficacy rates can be maintained or improved upon.

Field Demonstration of Heavy Vehicle Camera/Video Imaging Systems: Final Report

INTRODUCTION This paper presents the cost benefits of two different onboard safety systems (OSS) installed on trucks as they operated during normal revenue deliveries. Using a formal economic analysis approach, the study quantified the costs and benefits associated with lane departure warning (LDW) systems and roll stability control (RSC) systems. METHODS The study used data collected from participating carriers (many of these crashes were not reported to state or Federal agencies), and the research team also reviewed each crash file to determine if the specific OSS would have mitigated or prevented the crash. The deployment of each OSS was anticipated to increase the safety of all road users, but impact different sectors of society in different ways. Benefits that were inherent in each group (e.g., industry, society) were considered, and different benefit-cost analyses (BCAs) were performed. RESULTS This paper presents two BCAs: a BCA focused on the costs and benefits in the carrier industry by implementing each OSS, and a BCA that measured the societal benefits of each OSS. In addition, a BCA for a theoretical mandatory deployment option for each OSS is presented. CONCLUSIONS BCA results for LDW and RSC clearly showed their benefits outweighed their costs for the carrier and society. Practical applications: Cost information is a crucial factor in purchasing decisions in carriers; similarly, regulators must consider the cost burden prior to mandating technologies. The results in this study provide carrier decision makers and regulators with information necessary to make an informed decision regarding RSC and LDW.