Reducing non-collision injuries in special transportation services by enhanced safety culture
Författare
Summary, in English
Previous research has pointed out that non-collision injuries occur among wheelchair users in Special Transportation Services (STS - a demand-responsive transport mode). The organization of such modes is also quite complex, involving both stakeholders and key personnel at different levels. Our objective was therefore to qualitatively explore the state of safety, as perceived and discussed within a workplace context. Focus groups were held with drivers of both taxi companies and bus companies. The results indicated that passengers run the risk of being injured without being involved in a vehicle collision. The pertinent organizational and corporate culture did not prioritize safety. The drivers identified some relatively clear-cut safety threats, primarily before and after a ride, at vehicle standstill. The driver's work place seemed to be surrounded with a reactive instead of proactive structure. We conclude that not only vehicle and wheelchair technical safety must be considered in STS, but also system safety. Instead of viewing drivers' error as a cause, it should be seen as a symptom of systems failure. Human error is connected to aspects of tools, tasks, and operating environment. Enhanced understanding and influence of these connections within STS and accessible public transport systems will promote safety for wheelchair users.
Avdelning/ar
Publiceringsår
2010
Språk
Engelska
Sidor
254-262
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Medical Engineering and Physics
Volym
32
Issue
3
Länkar
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
Elsevier
Ämne
- Infrastructure Engineering
Status
Published
Forskningsgrupp
- Competence Center - Traffic Environment for Older and Disabled Persons
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 1873-4030