This project provides an independent evaluation of a commercially available low-cost driving behavior management system. Participating drivers from two carriers (identified as Carrier A and Carrier B) drove an instrumented vehicle for 17 consecutive weeks while they made their normal, revenue-producing deliveries. During the 4-week baseline phase, the event recorder recorded safety-related events; however, the feedback light on the event recorder was disabled and safety managers did not have access to the recorded safety-related events to provide feedback to drivers. During the 13-week intervention phase, the feedback light on the event recorder was activated and safety managers had access to the recorded safety-related events and followed a recommended coaching protocol with drivers (when necessary). Carrier A significantly reduced the mean rate of recorded safety-related events/10,000 vehicle miles travelled (VMT) from baseline to intervention by 38.1 percent (p = 0.046), while Carrier B significantly reduced the mean rate of recorded safety-related events/10,000 VMT from baseline to intervention by 52.2 percent (p = 0.03). The results suggest the combination of onboard safety monitoring and behavioral coaching were responsible for the reduction in the mean rate of safety-related events/10,000 VMT at Carriers A and B. (Author/publisher)
Abstract