1. Home
  2. RIP
  3. View Record
https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

Evaluate Ohio Department of Transportation's Ability to Decrease Dump Truck Backing Accidents

There are 305 backing accidents involving dump trucks, an average of 100 per year, which have been experienced by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) from 1/1/2015 to 2/21/2018. To maneuver large trucks and equipment, ODOT Highway Technicians (HTs) utilize side-view and rear-view mirrors coupled with ground guides, but these views are limited. This weakness may cause ground guides to be invisible in the mirrors to the driver in the direct zone of impact throughout the maneuvering. To solve this problem, it is imperative to investigate innovative technologies providing advanced views to the driver throughout various types of operations. It is also critically important to find out the way of utilizing technological advancements to help maximize worker safety, and productivity while decreasing the number of backing accidents involving ODOT dump trucks. The overall goal of this research is to decrease ODOT's backing accidents through introducing the new technologies that better equip ODOT garage persons, particularly the driver with the ability to perform daily operations in a safer and more efficient manner. To fulfill the goal, the scope of work will be divided into two phases. The objectives of the Phase 1 research work are to: (1) Evaluate the best practices nationwide for decreasing backing accidents with dump trucks. (2) Identify the pros and limits, as well as specifications of the advanced vision technologies that have been utilized by other states, districts, or counties. (3) Identify the practical experiences in applying the advanced vision technologies together with innovative sensing technologies including vehicle radars and ultrasound sensors in state and local transportation governments, and construction (public and private) work environments for reducing the backing accidents. (4) Analyze and develop the integrated approach to assemble or package the key components of the state-of-the-art/practice technology to make the new option(s) of utilizing the technologies perform effectively throughout day and night operations in all types of severe weather conditions. (5) Develop the draft standard operations procedure (SOP) documenting the improved procedure to ODOT's current process, including the activities involving both day and night operations, as well as in all types of severe weather conditions.