Lawrence, KS — Researchers at the National Center for Construction Safety at the University of Kansas are set to examine how telematics can affect fleet safety for small and medium-sized construction firms.
Funded by a grant from the nonprofit Job-Site Safety Institute, the team from KU will conduct a business-case study aimed at exploring “how telematics technology can help drivers become more aware of risky driving behaviors and improve safety on the road,” Christine Branche, JSI board member and programs committee chair, said in a press release. Branche is a former principal associate director at NIOSH and the founding director of the agency’s Office of Construction Safety and Health. She retired in 2020.
JSI notes that telematics can produce data on multiple attributes affecting driver behavior, including vehicle location, distance driven, time of day driven, maximum speed, seat belt use and cellphone use.
Among the project’s focus areas:
- Study how telematics can affect driver behavior, as well as the frequency and severity of crashes
- Identify barriers that prevent telematics integration
- Create targeted strategies and resources to empower organizations to adopt telematics
“Work-related transportation incidents consistently rank among the leading threats to worker safety,” NCCS Director Chien-Ho Ko said in the release. “We are thrilled to partner with JSI to tackle this critical issue and work toward eliminating injuries and fatalities related to transportation.”
