Pub Date : 2025-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106812
Arthur Rohaert , Maxine Berthiaume , Max Kinateder , Jonathan Wahlqvist , Enrico Ronchi
This study investigates how reduced visibility due to wildfire smoke affects driving behaviour, specifically speed and headway, and the resulting implications for evacuation management and planning. Data were collected from participants immersed in a virtual environment through a driving simulator with a head-mounted display. Thirty-seven participants drove through scenarios simulating a rural highway. While driving visibility was systematically varied with virtual wildfire smoke. Participants were initially alone on the road to measure free-flow speeds and then proceeded to drive behind a convoy of cars. When visibility was low, driving speed was significantly reduced compared to the scenario with unrestricted visibility. Surprisingly, however, participants maintained similar distance headways in denser smoke compared to conditions with unrestricted visibility, suggesting that car-following behaviour was not affected. The collected data were used to develop a model that captures drivers’ responses to reduced visibility due to smoke. The proposed model can be integrated into both macroscopic and microscopic traffic models, providing a tool for estimating evacuation times.
{"title":"The impact of wildfire smoke on traffic evacuation dynamics","authors":"Arthur Rohaert , Maxine Berthiaume , Max Kinateder , Jonathan Wahlqvist , Enrico Ronchi","doi":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106812","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106812","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates how reduced visibility due to wildfire smoke affects driving behaviour, specifically speed and headway, and the resulting implications for evacuation management and planning. Data were collected from participants immersed in a virtual environment through a driving simulator with a head-mounted display. Thirty-seven participants drove through scenarios simulating a rural highway. While driving visibility was systematically varied with virtual wildfire smoke. Participants were initially alone on the road to measure free-flow speeds and then proceeded to drive behind a convoy of cars. When visibility was low, driving speed was significantly reduced compared to the scenario with unrestricted visibility. Surprisingly, however, participants maintained similar distance headways in denser smoke compared to conditions with unrestricted visibility, suggesting that car-following behaviour was not affected. The collected data were used to develop a model that captures drivers’ responses to reduced visibility due to smoke. The proposed model can be integrated into both macroscopic and microscopic traffic models, providing a tool for estimating evacuation times.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21375,"journal":{"name":"Safety Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106812"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143388493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2024.106774
Ming Zhang , Shihui Ma , Rui Xu , Tao Chen , Yuexiong Ding , Xiaowei Luo
Physical safety signs on construction sites often fail to capture workers’ attention. In contrast, proactive warning systems designed to provide immediate feedback on dynamic risks show promise in improving workers’ safety measures. Despite established evidence for the feasibility of such technologies, there is a gap in research about their actual impact on safety behavior. This study explores the effects of these proactive systems on improving safety performance for construction workers within an immersive virtual environment (IVE). To this end, a novel virtual warning system was introduced, providing real-time alerts to workers when approaching hazardous areas. The study utilized a comparative experimental setup to evaluate the proactive system against standard safety signs. A group of 56 participants engaged in IVE trials, contributing behavioral data for analysis. Findings reveal the proactive warning system significantly outperforms traditional signage in delivering hazard warnings without hindering on the participants’ overall task performance. The data strongly support the further development and practical implementation of proactive warning systems in construction safety management.
{"title":"Evaluating the impact of proactive warning systems on worker safety performance: An immersive virtual reality study","authors":"Ming Zhang , Shihui Ma , Rui Xu , Tao Chen , Yuexiong Ding , Xiaowei Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.ssci.2024.106774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ssci.2024.106774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Physical safety signs on construction sites often fail to capture workers’ attention. In contrast, proactive warning systems designed to provide immediate feedback on dynamic risks show promise in improving workers’ safety measures. Despite established evidence for the feasibility of such technologies, there is a gap in research about their actual impact on safety behavior. This study explores the effects of these proactive systems on improving safety performance for construction workers within an immersive virtual environment (IVE). To this end, a novel virtual warning system was introduced, providing real-time alerts to workers when approaching hazardous areas. The study utilized a comparative experimental setup to evaluate the proactive system against standard safety signs. A group of 56 participants engaged in IVE trials, contributing behavioral data for analysis. Findings reveal the proactive warning system significantly outperforms traditional signage in delivering hazard warnings without hindering on the participants’ overall task performance. The data strongly support the further development and practical implementation of proactive warning systems in construction safety management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21375,"journal":{"name":"Safety Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106774"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143395810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106797
Myriam Bérubé , Céline Chatigny , Marie Laberge
Introduction
While occupational health and safety (OHS) education is important for all new workers, it appears critical for youth in dual vocational training programs. To develop prevention tools adapted to their situation, the first stage of an action-research study was to question their perceptions and experiences of OHS.
Objective
This study examines the perceptions of OHS among young students with disabilities enrolled in the Work-Oriented Training Path (WOTP) in Québec.
Method
A mixed-methods study based on questionnaires given to 131 (38 women, 93 men) WOTP students and Ministry documents. Descriptive and comparative quantitative analyses were conducted with a qualitative analysis of open-ended questions and documents. A gender-sensitive analysis was carried out since it is a recognized influencing factor to consider in OHS.
Results
Men and women worked in different environments (p = 0.002). Men seem to be more aware of the presence of hazards (yes = 79.6 %) than women (yes = 50 %) (p = 0.001), and collectively named 15 risk categories, compared to 9 for women. A modest proportion of men (yes = 44.1 %) and women (yes = 31.6 %) reported having received OHS training in their traineeship. Men had a slightly less marked interest in OHS (p = 0.047). A large proportion of students reported having experienced an occupational injury (43.5 %).
Conclusions
Targeted interventions are needed to ensure safe learning environments and equitable OHS training for youth with disabilities. Women might be confronted with unrecognized or invisible hazards, and all could benefit from a training that addresses those.
{"title":"Gender differences in occupational health and safety perceptions: Insights from youth in dual vocational training","authors":"Myriam Bérubé , Céline Chatigny , Marie Laberge","doi":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106797","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106797","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>While occupational health and safety (OHS) education is important for all new workers, it appears critical for youth in dual vocational training programs. To develop prevention tools adapted to their situation, the first stage of an action-research study was to question their perceptions and experiences of OHS.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examines the perceptions of OHS among young students with disabilities enrolled in the Work-Oriented Training Path (WOTP) in Québec.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A mixed-methods study based on questionnaires given to 131 (38 women, 93 men) WOTP students and Ministry documents. Descriptive and comparative quantitative analyses were conducted with a qualitative analysis of open-ended questions and documents. A gender-sensitive analysis was carried out since it is a recognized influencing factor to consider in OHS.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Men and women worked in different environments (p = 0.002). Men seem to be more aware of the presence of hazards (yes = 79.6 %) than women (yes = 50 %) (p = 0.001), and collectively named 15 risk categories, compared to 9 for women. A modest proportion of men (yes = 44.1 %) and women (yes = 31.6 %) reported having received OHS training in their traineeship. Men had a slightly less marked interest in OHS (p = 0.047). A large proportion of students reported having experienced an occupational injury (43.5 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Targeted interventions are needed to ensure safe learning environments and equitable OHS training for youth with disabilities. Women might be confronted with unrecognized or invisible hazards, and all could benefit from a training that addresses those.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21375,"journal":{"name":"Safety Science","volume":"186 ","pages":"Article 106797"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143388494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-11DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106814
Haonan Qi , Zhipeng Zhou , Patrick Manu , Nan Li
This study proposed an accident data-driven approach using hybrid AI techniques for the quantification of falling risks at workplaces. Six machine learning models and one ensemble learning model were deployed for automatic extraction of causal factors. These causal factors were taken as main nodes in the falling risk Bayesian network (FRBN). Data-driven and knowledge-driven methods were combined for structure learning of the FRBN, based upon algorithms of hill climbing and tree augmented naive Bayes firstly and modification of FRBN through incorporation of knowledge. Sensitive causal factors were determined using parameter-based and evidence-based sensitivity analysis approaches. The FRBN was further adopted for forward and backward causal inferences. The accident data-driven approach through hybrid AI techniques contributes to substantial learning from fall-related accidents. Measures would be tailored according to causal inferences within the FRBN, so that the probability of falling risk will be reduced and negative impacts of fall-from-height (FFH) accidents will be decreased.
{"title":"Falling risk analysis at workplaces through an accident data-driven approach based upon hybrid artificial intelligence (AI) techniques","authors":"Haonan Qi , Zhipeng Zhou , Patrick Manu , Nan Li","doi":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106814","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106814","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study proposed an accident data-driven approach using hybrid AI techniques for the quantification of falling risks at workplaces. Six machine learning models and one ensemble learning model were deployed for automatic extraction of causal factors. These causal factors were taken as main nodes in the falling risk Bayesian network (FRBN). Data-driven and knowledge-driven methods were combined for structure learning of the FRBN, based upon algorithms of hill climbing and tree augmented naive Bayes firstly and modification of FRBN through incorporation of knowledge. Sensitive causal factors were determined using parameter-based and evidence-based sensitivity analysis approaches. The FRBN was further adopted for forward and backward causal inferences. The accident data-driven approach through hybrid AI techniques contributes to substantial learning from fall-related accidents. Measures would be tailored according to causal inferences within the FRBN, so that the probability of falling risk will be reduced and negative impacts of fall-from-height (FFH) accidents will be decreased.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21375,"journal":{"name":"Safety Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106814"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143387314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106806
Xiao Zhao , Ze-Rui Xiang , Zutao Zhang , Tie-Cheng Ding , Hai-Nan Liu , Hong-Bao Wang , Rui Zou , Yu Wang
Optimal visual ergonomics is a crucial cornerstone for the safe operation of the railway system, and the extreme line environment and varying driving speeds may affect drivers’ visual ergonomics. To elucidate the impact of the Snow and Ice (SI) line environment and different driving speeds on train drivers’ visual ergonomics, this paper introduces a novel research method. Utilizing a VR simulation driving scenario, the physiological parameters, task performance, and subjective evaluations of 44 participants were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26.0. The analysis covered conditions under two line environments (SI line and basic line) and three driving speeds (120 km/h, 160 km/h, and 200 km/h). The research reveals that the line environment, train speed, and their interaction effects significantly affect train drivers’ visual ergonomics in the following ways: (1) In the SI line environment, drivers experience significantly increased visual fatigue and discomfort, along with decreased visual performance. (2) With the increase of driving speed, drivers face heightened psychological pressure, shorter reaction times, and reduced accuracy. (3) The interaction effect between line environment and driving speed diminishes visual ergonomics by increasing physiological load and psychological stress, disrupting drivers’ emotional state and attention distribution, thus forming a negative cycle in train drivers’ visual ergonomics. The research findings provide extensive practical applications and customized recommendations for real-world driving scenarios.
{"title":"Factors affecting the visual ergonomics of train drivers in VR simulation driving: Snow and Ice line environment and train speed","authors":"Xiao Zhao , Ze-Rui Xiang , Zutao Zhang , Tie-Cheng Ding , Hai-Nan Liu , Hong-Bao Wang , Rui Zou , Yu Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106806","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106806","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Optimal visual ergonomics is a crucial cornerstone for the safe operation of the railway system, and the extreme line environment and varying driving speeds may affect drivers’ visual ergonomics. To elucidate the impact of the Snow and Ice (SI) line environment and different driving speeds on train drivers’ visual ergonomics, this paper introduces a novel research method. Utilizing a VR simulation driving scenario, the physiological parameters, task performance, and subjective evaluations of 44 participants were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26.0. The analysis covered conditions under two line environments (SI line and basic line) and three driving speeds (120 km/h, 160 km/h, and 200 km/h). The research reveals that the line environment, train speed, and their interaction effects significantly affect train drivers’ visual ergonomics in the following ways: (1) In the SI line environment, drivers experience significantly increased visual fatigue and discomfort, along with decreased visual performance. (2) With the increase of driving speed, drivers face heightened psychological pressure, shorter reaction times, and reduced accuracy. (3) The interaction effect between line environment and driving speed diminishes visual ergonomics by increasing physiological load and psychological stress, disrupting drivers’ emotional state and attention distribution, thus forming a negative cycle in train drivers’ visual ergonomics. The research findings provide extensive practical applications and customized recommendations for real-world driving scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21375,"journal":{"name":"Safety Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106806"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143377223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106807
Apurwa Dhoke, Pushpa Choudhary
Pedestrians’ decision-making is significantly influenced by time pressure, potentially raising safety concerns. Therefore, this study seeks to quantify a comprehensive view of how pedestrians’ decision-making under time pressure affects waiting duration as a measure of traffic compliance. Further, it aims to examine the consequences of these decisions by estimating the probability of crashes under varying levels of time pressure. To understand pedestrian behavior while prioritizing safety, a virtual reality setup was utilized to record the movements of 60 participants at a four-legged signalized intersection. The experiments were conducted during three signal timing scenarios, including the end of the green, the middle of red, and the end of red, under three time pressure conditions: no time pressure, low time pressure, and high time pressure. To investigate the factors influencing waiting duration, a hazard-based duration model was used. Further, to identify the significant factors affecting the probability of crash occurrences, a generalized linear model was employed. The results show that waiting times significantly influence pedestrians’ decisions on whether to comply or violate signals, leading to increased urgency and unsafe crossing behavior under time pressure. Thus, time pressure reduces compliance behaviors, particularly during the end of the green signal phase. However, the crash probabilities were higher during the end of the red signal scenario, especially under high time pressure conditions. Ultimately, the current research findings identify an intricate relationship between pedestrians’ waiting behavior and the occurrence of crashes with the time pressure and provide some insightful recommendations for enhancing intersection safety.
{"title":"Pedestrian behavior under time pressure: A VR-based study of waiting duration and crashes at signalized intersection","authors":"Apurwa Dhoke, Pushpa Choudhary","doi":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106807","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106807","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pedestrians’ decision-making is significantly influenced by time pressure, potentially raising safety concerns. Therefore, this study seeks to quantify a comprehensive view of how pedestrians’ decision-making under time pressure affects waiting duration as a measure of traffic compliance. Further, it aims to examine the consequences of these decisions by estimating the probability of crashes under varying levels of time pressure. To understand pedestrian behavior while prioritizing safety, a virtual reality setup was utilized to record the movements of 60 participants at a four-legged signalized intersection. The experiments were conducted during three signal timing scenarios, including the end of the green, the middle of red, and the end of red, under three time pressure conditions: no time pressure, low time pressure, and high time pressure. To investigate the factors influencing waiting duration, a hazard-based duration model was used. Further, to identify the significant factors affecting the probability of crash occurrences, a generalized linear model was employed. The results show that waiting times significantly influence pedestrians’ decisions on whether to comply or violate signals, leading to increased urgency and unsafe crossing behavior under time pressure. Thus, time pressure reduces compliance behaviors, particularly during the end of the green signal phase. However, the crash probabilities were higher during the end of the red signal scenario, especially under high time pressure conditions. Ultimately, the current research findings identify an intricate relationship between pedestrians’ waiting behavior and the occurrence of crashes with the time pressure and provide some insightful recommendations for enhancing intersection safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21375,"journal":{"name":"Safety Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106807"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143378582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106810
Jinghong Wang , Yuqing Liu , Qingzhao Li , Jialin Wu , Yan Wang , Juncheng Jiang
The layout and site selection of emergency shelters have a significant impact on the efficiency of large-scale crowd evacuation. However, during the actual evacuation process, there may be factors that affect the capacity of evacuation routes. This paper considers the problem of decreased road capacity due to toxic gas effects. By extending the Cell Transmission Model (CTM) and incorporating additional constraints, a linear programming model for emergency evacuation traffic was developed. Based on an improved CTM, this study examines the impact of different emergency shelter layouts in the Tianjin Port area. The results indicate that under the actual conditions at Tianjin Port, the evacuation efficiency differs by 22.43% between scenarios with and without the presence of toxic gases. A reasonable layout of additional shelters can improve evacuation efficiency by up to 45.33%. However, if the number of shelters is excessively increased, it could exacerbate congestion and reduce evacuation efficiency by up to 59.81% under the influence of toxic gases. The value of this study lies in its establishment of a model that can more accurately assess evacuation risks under the influence of toxic gases and inform the strategic placement of emergency shelters.
{"title":"Optimization of emergency shelter layout with consideration of toxic gas leakage based on a cell transmission model","authors":"Jinghong Wang , Yuqing Liu , Qingzhao Li , Jialin Wu , Yan Wang , Juncheng Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106810","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106810","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The layout and site selection of emergency shelters have a significant impact on the efficiency of large-scale crowd evacuation. However, during the actual evacuation process, there may be factors that affect the capacity of evacuation routes. This paper considers the problem of decreased road capacity due to toxic gas effects. By extending the Cell Transmission Model (CTM) and incorporating additional constraints, a linear programming model for emergency evacuation traffic was developed. Based on an improved CTM, this study examines the impact of different emergency shelter layouts in the Tianjin Port area. The results indicate that under the actual conditions at Tianjin Port, the evacuation efficiency differs by 22.43% between scenarios with and without the presence of toxic gases. A reasonable layout of additional shelters can improve evacuation efficiency by up to 45.33%. However, if the number of shelters is excessively increased, it could exacerbate congestion and reduce evacuation efficiency by up to 59.81% under the influence of toxic gases. The value of this study lies in its establishment of a model that can more accurately assess evacuation risks under the influence of toxic gases and inform the strategic placement of emergency shelters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21375,"journal":{"name":"Safety Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106810"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143372151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-08DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106809
Jianhua Zhang , Xiaohua Zhao , Ying Yao , Jushang Ou , Yujia Xiang
Road freight transportation is a cornerstone of China’s economy, enabling efficient commodity circulation and network consumption. However, the high rate of truck-related accidents and fatalities is largely influenced by individual characteristics and company management practices. This study investigates the impact of these factors on driving safety using social cognitive theory as the framework. A questionnaire was designed to gather empirical data on truck drivers’ individual traits, work environments, and driving behaviors. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. The association rule algorithm was then used to uncover correlations among drivers’ risk behaviors, personal attributes, and work environments. A structural equation model (SEM) was constructed, integrating findings from the association rule analysis and social cognitive theory to explore causal relationships and influence paths. This approach effectively addressed challenges in constructing optimal path models with multivariable relationships. The SEM results revealed that insomnia, negative affect, burnout, and safety climate significantly influence driving behavior. Mediation analysis further showed that well-being, weekly working days, and salary levels indirectly affect driving behavior through burnout and negative affect. These findings highlight critical targets for individual and organizational interventions. Freight companies can implement targeted education and training programs addressing risk factors and enhance safety management. This research offers practical insights for improving truck drivers’ behavior and promoting road freight safety.
{"title":"The influence of individual characteristics and working environment on driving performance of truck drivers","authors":"Jianhua Zhang , Xiaohua Zhao , Ying Yao , Jushang Ou , Yujia Xiang","doi":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106809","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106809","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Road freight transportation is a cornerstone of China’s economy, enabling efficient commodity circulation and network consumption. However, the high rate of truck-related accidents and fatalities is largely influenced by individual characteristics and company management practices. This study investigates the impact of these factors on driving safety using social cognitive theory as the framework. A questionnaire was designed to gather empirical data on truck drivers’ individual traits, work environments, and driving behaviors. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. The association rule algorithm was then used to uncover correlations among drivers’ risk behaviors, personal attributes, and work environments. A structural equation model (SEM) was constructed, integrating findings from the association rule analysis and social cognitive theory to explore causal relationships and influence paths. This approach effectively addressed challenges in constructing optimal path models with multivariable relationships. The SEM results revealed that insomnia, negative affect, burnout, and safety climate significantly influence driving behavior. Mediation analysis further showed that well-being, weekly working days, and salary levels indirectly affect driving behavior through burnout and negative affect. These findings highlight critical targets for individual and organizational interventions. Freight companies can implement targeted education and training programs addressing risk factors and enhance safety management. This research offers practical insights for improving truck drivers’ behavior and promoting road freight safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21375,"journal":{"name":"Safety Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106809"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143372150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-08DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106803
Mariella De Fino , Federica Cassano , Gabriele Bernardini , Enrico Quagliarini , Fabio Fatiguso
The increasing use of VR (Virtual Reality) training tools in safety-related fields has prompted the scientific community to explore methods for assessing their effectiveness across different levels of immersion. While numerous studies have been conducted in sectors such as healthcare, transportation, agriculture, aviation, mining, firefighting, and construction, one area that remains underexplored is risk training for general public against natural and man-made disasters in both indoor and outdoor built environments. In this context, the paper aims at validating a prototype for VR multi-risk (heat wave and earthquake) training in urban open spaces that was developed according to a Serious Game (SG) approach. To address insights on its extensive adoption, the VR-SG was tested for comparison of three modes: traditional by video recording, non-immersive by desktop, immersive by headset. Outputs from feedback questionnaires on knowledge gain and transfer to expansive contexts, as well as on user experience, suggest that the effectiveness of knowledge acquisition differs significantly between headset and video, as well as between desktop and video, but shows no significant difference between headset and desktop. Additionally, while headset outperforms desktop in terms of engagement, perceived usefulness, and realism, it falls behind in ease of use. Finally, further analyses on training outcome by age, contents of open-ended answers, in-game errors and administration procedures supported the discussion of key aspects in targeting VR for public safety communication.
{"title":"On the user-based assessments of virtual reality for public safety training in urban open spaces depending on immersion levels","authors":"Mariella De Fino , Federica Cassano , Gabriele Bernardini , Enrico Quagliarini , Fabio Fatiguso","doi":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106803","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106803","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing use of VR (Virtual Reality) training tools in safety-related fields has prompted the scientific community to explore methods for assessing their effectiveness across different levels of immersion. While numerous studies have been conducted in sectors such as healthcare, transportation, agriculture, aviation, mining, firefighting, and construction, one area that remains underexplored is risk training for general public against natural and man-made disasters in both indoor and outdoor built environments. In this context, the paper aims at validating a prototype for VR multi-risk (heat wave and earthquake) training in urban open spaces that was developed according to a Serious Game (SG) approach. To address insights on its extensive adoption, the VR-SG was tested for comparison of three modes: traditional by video recording, non-immersive by desktop, immersive by headset. Outputs from feedback questionnaires on knowledge gain and transfer to expansive contexts, as well as on user experience, suggest that the effectiveness of knowledge acquisition differs significantly between headset and video, as well as between desktop and video, but shows no significant difference between headset and desktop. Additionally, while headset outperforms desktop in terms of engagement, perceived usefulness, and realism, it falls behind in ease of use. Finally, further analyses on training outcome by age, contents of open-ended answers, in-game errors and administration procedures supported the discussion of key aspects in targeting VR for public safety communication.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21375,"journal":{"name":"Safety Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106803"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143350310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-06DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106805
Sharron O’Neill , Louise Thornthwaite
Increasing demand for labour flexibility and the rise of the gig-economy has led increasingly to fractured labour supply chains. Recent legislative reforms in Australia and New Zealand place obligations on employers to ensure the health and safety of all workers whose work they control or direct, including, but not limited to employees. These reforms recognise the crucial role of OHS training. However, they expose an important gap in our understanding as to whether workers engaged in high-risk work across corporate boundaries now have equitable access to training.
This exploratory study surveyed 543 Australian permanent, causal and contract heavy vehicle drivers, comparing their access to various forms of OHS training and their experience and perceptions of hazardous events most commonly associated with fatal and high consequence injury in their industry. The reforms appear to improve access to external safety training courses, although significant differences in training participation mix and risk perceptions remain across employment types and some workers report multiple, often conflicting safety training messages.
The findings offer a novel and important contribution to the extensive literature on OHS training. Despite significant employer investment in training, efforts to absorb a cohort of (non-employee) workers into existing, corporate training systems appear largely unsuccessful and demonstrates a structural misalignment between (organisational) training models and (individuals’) training needs. However, resolving this mismatch will require a re-imagining of OHS training delivery to a more integrated model that can better identify and address gaps in the OHS knowledge and experience of an increasingly disparate group of workers.
{"title":"Does legislating safety duties across the labour supply chain ensure contingent workers have equitable access to safety training?","authors":"Sharron O’Neill , Louise Thornthwaite","doi":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106805","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106805","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Increasing demand for labour flexibility and the rise of the gig-economy has led increasingly to fractured labour supply chains. Recent legislative reforms in Australia and New Zealand place obligations on employers to ensure the health and safety of all workers whose work they control or direct, including, but not limited to employees. These reforms recognise the crucial role of OHS training. However, they expose an important gap in our understanding as to whether workers engaged in high-risk work across corporate boundaries now have equitable access to training.</div><div>This exploratory study surveyed 543 Australian permanent, causal and contract heavy vehicle drivers, comparing their access to various forms of OHS training and their experience and perceptions of hazardous events most commonly associated with fatal and high consequence injury in their industry. The reforms appear to improve access to external safety training courses, although significant differences in training participation mix and risk perceptions remain across employment types and some workers report multiple, often conflicting safety training messages.</div><div>The findings offer a novel and important contribution to the extensive literature on OHS training. Despite significant employer investment in training, efforts to absorb a cohort of (non-employee) workers into existing, corporate training systems appear largely unsuccessful and demonstrates a structural misalignment between (organisational) training models and (individuals’) training needs. However, resolving this mismatch will require a re-imagining of OHS training delivery to a more integrated model that can better identify and address gaps in the OHS knowledge and experience of an increasingly disparate group of workers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21375,"journal":{"name":"Safety Science","volume":"185 ","pages":"Article 106805"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143208632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}