Distracted driving - Revision history

Rabiabonour at 22:54, 14 February 2017

2017-02-14T22:54:34Z

BK: added photo

2015-04-22T18:55:46Z

added photo

Jmatute: Reverted edits by Jmatute (talk) to last revision by Jlarose

2014-11-18T19:29:52Z

Reverted edits by Jmatute (talk) to last revision by Jlarose

Jmatute: /* Further Reading */

2014-11-18T19:28:35Z

Jlarose: /* Operator distractions */

2014-02-06T21:20:27Z

Operator distractions

Jlarose at 21:17, 6 February 2014

2014-02-06T21:17:17Z

Jlarose at 21:58, 26 January 2014

2014-01-26T21:58:37Z

Jlarose: Created page with "'''This article is in progress''' == Introduction == When the focus of a bus or rail operator is taken away from their surroundings, risk of collision and injury increases. Di..."

2014-01-26T21:58:08Z

Created page with "'''This article is in progress''' == Introduction == When the focus of a bus or rail operator is taken away from their surroundings, risk of collision and injury increases. Di..."

New page

'''This article is in progress'''
== Introduction ==
When the focus of a bus or rail operator is taken away from their surroundings, risk of collision and injury increases. Distracted driving is a serious safety concern and many agencies have taken steps to discourage these behaviors. Some states have enacted distracted driving laws with penalties for driving while using cell phones, for example <ref>USDOT. http://www.distraction.gov/ Accessed 13:30 on 26 January 2014</ref>. In California, all bus drivers are legally prohibited from any cell phone use in the performance of their duties.

== Strategies ==
=== Operator distractions ===
Agencies should discourage (and many outright ban) the use of any electronic device such as cell phones or music players during the course of work. Strategies may range from requiring devices to be used only if the vehicle is parked, to outright bans except on scheduled breaks. Distractions can also include food and drink. Energy is important for operators to stay focused on long shifts, but consumption of food can be distracting while operating. Operators should limit food and drink to layovers and breaks.

An example of risk operators may not consider is capped water bottles: operators may take a drink while waiting at a stop light and subsequently drop the cap as the light turns green. If the operator is concerned about the cap rolling away, or perhaps under a pedal, they may take their eyes off the road to pick it up. This increases risk of collision. Operators may use water bottles without screw-on caps, but better is to discourage these habits except when parked.

* Agency information while driving
* Other passengers

Assist with better training and guidance, awareness of the risk of distraction.

=== Agency distractions ===

== Further Reading ==
'''American Public Transit Association (APTA). "[http://www.apta.com/resources/standards/Documents/APTA-BTS-BS-RP-005-09.pdf Reducing Driver-Controlled Distractions While Operating a Vehicle on Agency Time]". 2009.''' This document focuses on distractions that are within the ability of an operator to mitigate.

'''APTA. "[http://www.apta.com/resources/standards/Documents/APTA-BTS-BS-RP-006-09.pdf Reducing Agency-Controlled Distractions While Operating a Vehicle on Agency Time]". 2009.''' This document focuses on distractions within control of management.

'''Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). "[http://www.tcrponline.org/PDFDocuments/tcrp_syn_108.pdf TCRP Synthesis 108: Transit Bus Operator Distraction Policies]".''' 2013. This synthesis reviews practices by surveyed agencies as well as three case studies.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category:Managing transit]]
-[[File:Distracted driving.jpg|thumbnail|right|The perils of distracted driving. Source: www.navideck.com]]
+[[Image:distracteddriving.jpg|right|thumb|500px|Preventing operator inattention is a major concern for transit agencies. Source: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:I-55_I-40_West_Memphis_AR_distracted_driving_warning_sign.jpg Thomas R. Machnitzki]]]
 == Introduction ==
 When the focus of a bus or rail operator is taken away from their surroundings, risk of collision and injury increases. Distracted driving is a serious safety concern and many agencies have taken steps to discourage these behaviors. Some states have enacted distracted driving laws with penalties for driving while using cell phones, for example <ref>USDOT. http://www.distraction.gov/ Accessed 13:30 on 26 January 2014</ref>. In California, all bus drivers are legally prohibited from any cell phone use in the performance of their duties.
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 Agencies can also help mitigate other circumstances on board the vehicle. Careful arrangement of controls keep ergonomics in mind and reduce the need for the operator to take their eyes off the road. Familiarity is also important - even vehicles of different eras and models can have similar switch layouts or farebox interfaces. These considerations extend also to vehicle mirror type and placement, and equipment maintenance. Sending buses out with jury-rigged systems and flashing warning lights is unsafe for all.
 == Further Reading ==
-'''American Public Transit Association (APTA). "[http://www.apta.com/resources/standards/Documents/APTA-BTS-BS-RP-005-09.pdf Reducing Driver-Controlled Distractions While Operating a Vehicle on Agency Time]". 2009.''' This document focuses on distractions that are within the ability of an operator to mitigate.
+[http://www.apta.com/resources/standards/Documents/APTA-BTS-BS-RP-005-09.pdf American Public Transit Association. (2009). "Reducing Driver-Controlled Distractions While Operating a Vehicle on Agency Time."]
-'''APTA. "[http://www.apta.com/resources/standards/Documents/APTA-BTS-BS-RP-006-09.pdf Reducing Agency-Controlled Distractions While Operating a Vehicle on Agency Time]". 2009.''' This document focuses on distractions within control of management.
+[http://www.apta.com/resources/standards/Documents/APTA-BTS-BS-RP-006-09.pdf American Public Transit Association. (2009). "Reducing Agency-Controlled Distractions While Operating a Vehicle on Agency Time."]
-'''Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). "[http://www.tcrponline.org/PDFDocuments/tcrp_syn_108.pdf TCRP Synthesis 108: Transit Bus Operator Distraction Policies]".''' 2013. This synthesis reviews practices by surveyed agencies as well as three case studies.
+[http://www.tcrponline.org/PDFDocuments/tcrp_syn_108.pdf Kozub, C.A. (2013). "Transit Bus Operator Distraction Policies." Transit Cooperative Research Program.]
-== References ==
+:This synthesis reviews practices by surveyed agencies as well as three case studies.

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 '''Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). "[http://www.tcrponline.org/PDFDocuments/tcrp_syn_108.pdf TCRP Synthesis 108: Transit Bus Operator Distraction Policies]".''' 2013. This synthesis reviews practices by surveyed agencies as well as three case studies.
 == References ==
 <references />

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 '''Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). "[http://www.tcrponline.org/PDFDocuments/tcrp_syn_108.pdf TCRP Synthesis 108: Transit Bus Operator Distraction Policies]".''' 2013. This synthesis reviews practices by surveyed agencies as well as three case studies.
 == References ==
 <references />

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 Agencies should discourage (and many outright ban) the use of any electronic device such as cell phones or music players during the course of work. Strategies may range from requiring devices to be used only if the vehicle is parked, to outright bans except on scheduled breaks. Distractions can also include food and drink. Energy is important for operators to stay focused on long shifts, but consumption of food can be distracting while operating. Operators should limit food and drink to layovers and breaks.
-An example of risk operators may not consider is capped water bottles: operators may take a drink while waiting at a stop light and subsequently drop the cap as the light turns green. If the operator is concerned about the cap rolling away, or perhaps under a pedal, they may take their eyes off the road to pick it up. This increases risk of collision. Operators may use water bottles without screw-on caps, but better is to discourage these habits except when parked.
+Water bottles are an example of a risk operators may never consider: dropping the cap of a water bottle (or the drink itself) while on the road. Operators may take their eyes off the road to retrieve the cap or bottle from rolling away or under the pedals. Even at a stop light, taking eyes and focus away from the road increases risk of collision. Operators may use water bottles without screw-on caps, but better is to discourage these habits except when parked.
 Referring to maps and schedules is another operator distraction. A good operator training program should ensure familiarity with routes and information and limit the need to refer to printed materials. Additionally, operators should only reference printed materials when they are fully stopped, usually at a bus stop. Passengers sometimes engage the operator in conversation or ask questions. Passengers can be asked to avoid chatting with operators, and the agency should train operators to check their focus and attention. Better training on all aspects of distractions makes operators aware of the risks and encourages better habits.

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:58, 26 January 2014
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	'''Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). "[http://www.tcrponline.org/PDFDocuments/tcrp_syn_108.pdf TCRP Synthesis 108: Transit Bus Operator Distraction Policies]".''' 2013. This synthesis reviews practices by surveyed agencies as well as three case studies.		'''Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). "[http://www.tcrponline.org/PDFDocuments/tcrp_syn_108.pdf TCRP Synthesis 108: Transit Bus Operator Distraction Policies]".''' 2013. This synthesis reviews practices by surveyed agencies as well as three case studies.
		+	== References ==
		+	<references />