Office of Research and Information Technology Large Truck Crash Studies: Past and Future Steven K. Smith, Ph.D. Ralph Craft, Ph.D. CSA Subcommittee, Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee April 10, 2013

1 Office of Research and Information Technology Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS): National representative sample:  24 Crash Dataworthiness System sites in17 States  NHTSA’s research template for in-depth studies. Data collected at crash scene and later by:  Trained private contractors to NHTSA  Certified State large truck and bus inspectors  State and local law enforcement officers  Others: EMS, hospital staff, coroners.

2 Office of Research and Information Technology  Interviews with all crash participants and witnesses; follow- up interviews with motor carriers and crash surrogates  Photos of crash scene and vehicles involved  Official documents including Level I truck inspections, Police Accident Reports, investigations, EMS reports, autopsy reports. LTCCS – Data Collection

3 Office of Research and Information Technology  Crashes:  1,223 trucks,  963 crashes,  26% fatal crashes  Largest number of crashes of any in-depth truck study.  Major Finding: Truck driver condition and driving errors responsible for estimated 87% of large truck crashes in which the truck was coded with the crash Critical Event. LTCCS - Results

4 Office of Research and Information Technology The new study will collect data that reflects industry changes and new data requirements since 2003: New hours-of-service rule in place Increased use of electronic communication & monitoring – voice and text messages, Electronic Logging Devices, GPS Need for better data for proposed training rule Learn more about legal drugs – mainly over-the-counter drugs Examine issue of English proficiency among truck drivers Refresh data from first study. Why a new Study?

5 Office of Research and Information Technology Data Collection OptionsAdvantagesDisadvantages Naturalistic Driving data; Fatalities (K), Incapacitating injuries (A), Nonincapacitating injuries (B), Possible injuries (C) [KABC crashes]. More timely, less resources needed. Less representative, few crashes, limited data. Naturalistic Driving data; PARs; KABC crashes. More timely, less resources needed, complete crash view. Less representative; fewer crashes; less in-depth data. LTCCS collection format; KABC crashes. More representative, more crashes collected; comprehensive data. Greater start up time, more resources needed. LTCCS collection format; Naturalistic Driving data; KABC crashes. Most representative; most crashes; comprehensive data; driver data from two points of view for some crashes. Greater start up time; more resources needed. New Large Truck Study Options

6 Office of Research and Information Technology Steven Smith (202) Ralph Craft (202) Contact Information