Author

Rameez Khalid

Degree

Master of Business Administration Executive

Faculty / School

Faculty of Business Administration (FBA)

Year of Award

2016

Project Type

MBA Executive Research Project

Access Type

Restricted Access

Executive Summary

Everyday, a lot of accidents happen on the roadside. These accidents involves both loss of valuable lives as well as money. However, a brief overview of these accidents shows that in every accidents one of more triggering parameters be related to human factors. A careless turn, a weak perception or poor attention can lead to devastating outcomes. In order to overcome such human factors, it is important to find out root cause of these factors. In this regard, the analysis of behavior of drivers becomes an inevitable task for better safety measures. Furthermore, the need can for such analysis takes even more important position in case of HAZMAT and HTVs. This also forms the motivation for conducting this research proposal.

The main aim of this research work is to find out the parameters which affect the behavior of oil tanker drivers on roadside. Since, moods and behaviors are triggered by external stimuli, therefore an insight in the way of thinking, perceiving and reacting to different situations can outline different behaviors and attitudes.

In order to achieve aforementioned objective, first random non-structured inteviews were conducted with a sample of 10 drivers out of 100 , having different working profiles for a more diversified response, (e.g long distance ,short distance, night shifts, day shifts etc.) The prime talks of these interviews was to find out the most relevant questioned to be later included in questionnaire. Initially, 45 questions were developed based on theoretical data, which was later on amended as per response received in said interviews. Finally the 30 question were finalized to be included in the questionnaire based on dichotomous, interval and ordinal options. Also, each option was assigned a numeric value between 0-1 (0 being worst choice, 1 being ideal choice based on safety/situation).

The questionnaires were distributed among drivers through supervisor for required support. The responses from 100 drivers were then analyzed on the basis of percentage tally of choices against each question. Data tables were used to show response frequency. This showed trend of driver responses to different situation/ attitudes and inclinations. The results were discussed and possible reason were sought and explained. Furthermore, in order to see a more meaningful response data. numerical weight ages of options chosen by drivers were plotted against the ideal response line. The results derived in this research showed that the environment, perception and knowledge of the drivers has a considerable impact on their attitude and behavior towards different situations. Different situation and environments push them in developing certain kind of attitudes, whether it is driving without required rest or breaking laws for in time delivery of product. In this regard, company wide policies and attitude of administration also has a prominent role in improper behavior of drivers on roadside.

Apart from effect of administration pressures, there also is an impact related to personal life of the driver. As the herarchy of Paksitani family system goes, almost all drivers are sole earner in one way or another. Therefore, the provision of a proper family time alongside long distance travels becomes very hard to meet. This creates added pressure which result as road rage, overspeeding and impatience at very least. Furthermore, the lack of proper education is also a main factor, which can be termed one of the root causes. Due to lack of education ,the learning process for them becomes very slow. In addition, the common learning mediums for them are also extremely underrated. Mainly, driving is learnt through other drivers, thus the erroneous attitudes and practices are transferred and carried on. Over time these practices get hardened into their mindsets and collectively form their unsuitable behavior toward roadside driving.

The role of proper traffic system on national level, which is both effective as well easily understandable is of utmost priority. As the process of driving license in Pakistan is not prudent enough to evaluate the driver based on key parameters of transport psychology, physical fitness, literacy, knowledge of traffic rules along with training hours. Thus, this weakens the promotion of a good driving behavior, which results in all kinds of roadside problems since behind every wheel there is eventually an individual.

Finally, efforts can be focused to sort out the most problematic areas related to drivers based on response ratings. They can then be provided with required remedies. This rating can, over the time, yield not only the progress of drivers but also tap into niche problems faced by them. However, in this regard, presence of a strong feedback mechanism, which can effectively bring out such problems has the prime importance. In future coarse of action, an integrated practical tool may be developed for monitoring, analyzing and real time behavior deduction may be developed with an indept spectrum of parameters of interest.

Pages

VIII, 72

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