STSCELight-Vehicle Ed Survey
The purpose of this project is to survey curricula of light-vehicle driver education/improvement programs and assess any information that is relevant to heavy-vehicle characteristics and procedures for sharing the road. Recent research investigated light-vehicle/heavy–vehicle near–crashes and crashes (critical incidents) and found that 78 percent were initiated by the light–vehicle driver (Hanowski et al., 2007). The most common incident type involved the light vehicle changing lanes without sufficient gap to the heavy vehicle. This larger proportion of light–vehicle at–fault incidents may result from inadequate training in heavy–vehicle dynamics during light-vehicle driver education/improvement programs. Light–vehicle driver education/improvement programs that contain content about heavy-vehicle operation may be helpful in reducing light–vehicle/heavy–vehicle interactions. However, it is unclear as to the extent of current state curriculum requirements and content (for both public and private programs) regarding heavy-vehicle operation and associated light-vehicle driving recommended procedures.
This project will involve the development of an online survey targeted at individual state driver education/improvement program administrators that will identify current commercial vehicle characteristics curricula (or lack thereof) and perceived effectiveness. It is expected that this project will identify information and training gaps that can be built upon during future efforts.
In 2010, the research team began assembling a list of potential members for involvement in a peer review committee consisting of individuals knowledgeable about driver curricula and light-vehicle/heavy-vehicle interaction research. In addition, the research team began contacting some of these individuals to participate. In parallel, the development of a work plan was initiated detailing the project tasks and deliverables. In 2011, the research team will complete the creation of the peer review committee, the work plan document, and the development and delivery of the survey.