Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves xliii-xlv).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA, 2009. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 274-291).

Growth trends in vehicle transportation for the year 1989 showed that truck travel has increased from 400 billion vehicle miles of travel to 600 billion vehicle miles from 1980 to 1989, a staggering 50% increase. If this trend continues, then truck travel will reach 800 billion vehicle miles by the end of the year 2000. This increase in truck travel poses operational and safety problems for both passenger vehicles and trucks. To improve the existing highway facilities for trucks as well as to determine the design standards for new truck facilities, an understanding of the relationship between truck accidents and highway geometry is required. A number of models have been developed in the past but none of them consider all of the geometric features of the highway which are crucial for truck travel and the causation of truck accidents. The objectives of this study were to identify the roadway variables that affect truck accidents and to develop mathematical models which would determine truck involvement rates, per mile, per year. Data from the Highway Safety Information System (HSIS) was used in this analysis. The HSIS is a new data base developed by FHWA which contains accident, roadway and traffic data from five States. Models for truck accidents on Interstates, 2 lane rural roads, and for over turning accidents on Interstates were developed. The models indicate that truck accidents are primarily affected by horizontal curvature and vertical gradient albeit their values are different for Interstates and 2 lane rural roads. The number of truck accidents decreases on 2 lane rural roads as the shoulder width increases, and the model indicates that gradient has no effect on truck accidents on these roads and this, may be due to the inadequacy of the data. The Interstate model indicates that the higher the degree of curvature and the percentage of gradient, the greater the number of truck accident, as well as overturning truck accident involvement rates. / Master of Science

An independent pilot study suggested that the Retail Employment Inventory (REI) might be predictive of subjectively and objectively measured Over the Road (OTR) truck driver performance. The present validation study consisted of three parts. First, an examination of the relationship between REI scores and 11 objective, performance criteria revealed weak and non-significant correlations. Second, a comparison of subjective ratings and REI scores failed to replicate the findings of the pilot study. And third, to confirm that the task components of the OTR job were correctly identified in the pilot study, a second job analysis was performed. Possible reasons for the failure of the REI to predict OTR performance and directions for future research are discussed.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architectural Technology (Management)) / Revision of the Road Transportation Act 74 of 1977, with the de-regulation of the long-haul trucking industry, caused a fast growing, highly competitive industry, where the road transport industry revolves around cost of delivery and delivery times. Unreasonable customer expectations place a burden on truck drivers who are mostly uneducated and mostly ignorant of the hazardous conditions under which they work. The study therefore investigates the causes and development of hazard patterns (with frequencies of accidents), the circumstances and conditions of long-haul trucking that make the establishment of trucking centres necessary, as well as the requirements of truck drives, employers and owner-drivers to see if the proposed trucking centres will be rejected or accepted by them. The proposed centres would provide safe rest periods, healthy food, continuous health and traffic education and would allow for social interaction between visitors at these centres. These conditions would contribute to the reduction of number of road accidents and stem the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

The Road Freight Industry accounts for 1 to 5 percent of most countries GDP (AECOM International Development, 2011). According to e-Natis there was 321 056 Trucks (Heavy load Vehicle GVM > 3500 kg) in South Africa by November 2009 (Arrive Alive, 2009). This relative big industry, according to the statistics, influences most other industries value chains. Vehicles are driven by trucks drivers, making driving trucks their living. These drivers have their own lifestyles and ways that they go about. This study focusses on the risk factors of truck drivers’ lifestyles, especially long-distance truck drivers. This mini-dissertation draws attention to the limited research done on lifestyle risk factors and occupational hazards of long-distance truck drivers in South Africa. Most of the legislation regulating road transport is old and outdated, and any existing legislation is not being enforced. The goal of the study is to draw closer attention to the impact of certain lifestyle risk factors, social behaviours and occupational stressors on the lives of long-distance truck drivers, their close families and communities. The research was based on a comprehensive literature review as well as an empirical investigation done in the Gauteng province. A total of 150 long-distance truck drivers participated in the empirical investigation, by completing anonymous questionnaires. It is the researcher’s hope that this mini-dissertation will aid the betterment of long-distance truck drivers’ lives, general health and to make South African roads safer for all road users. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The Road Freight Industry accounts for 1 to 5 percent of most countries GDP (AECOM International Development, 2011). According to e-Natis there was 321 056 Trucks (Heavy load Vehicle GVM > 3500 kg) in South Africa by November 2009 (Arrive Alive, 2009). This relative big industry, according to the statistics, influences most other industries value chains. Vehicles are driven by trucks drivers, making driving trucks their living. These drivers have their own lifestyles and ways that they go about. This study focusses on the risk factors of truck drivers’ lifestyles, especially long-distance truck drivers. This mini-dissertation draws attention to the limited research done on lifestyle risk factors and occupational hazards of long-distance truck drivers in South Africa. Most of the legislation regulating road transport is old and outdated, and any existing legislation is not being enforced. The goal of the study is to draw closer attention to the impact of certain lifestyle risk factors, social behaviours and occupational stressors on the lives of long-distance truck drivers, their close families and communities. The research was based on a comprehensive literature review as well as an empirical investigation done in the Gauteng province. A total of 150 long-distance truck drivers participated in the empirical investigation, by completing anonymous questionnaires. It is the researcher’s hope that this mini-dissertation will aid the betterment of long-distance truck drivers’ lives, general health and to make South African roads safer for all road users. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Class of 2009 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: Truck drivers one of the most vital components of a country’s economy, and also one of the most medically underserved populations. To date, few studies have explored the healthcare needs of over the road truck drivers. The objective of this study is to determine if a need exists for the creation of a healthcare education program for over the road truck drivers and if retail pharmacy could be an effective setting for such a program. METHODS: A needs assessment analysis was used to examine available literature concerning the healthcare of over the road truck drivers. A multi-question survey was designed to illicit the feasibility of initiating a healthcare education program to over the road truck drivers in a retail pharmacy setting. This survey was administered to third year pharmacy interns, and 67 completed surveys were collected. RESULTS: Statistics from the selected literature showed over the road truck drivers had increased health risks and barriers to receive proper healthcare. Sixty-two percent of the pharmacy interns felt they could help provide healthcare education to over the road truck drivers, but 71% of interns felt that management wanted to have as little time as possible expended providing education and counseling. CONCLUSIONS: Over the road truck drivers are at increased risk of healthcare problems due to the demands of the profession and a healthcare education program is warranted to help

Bolivia has a high STI rate and an accelerating HIV/AIDS rate. The majority of the country's newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases come from the province of Santa Cruz in eastern Bolivia, where this study took place. In this study, the investigator assessed the notion that Bolivian truck drivers are a bridge population of HIV transmission within heterosexual networks. This investigation determined risks of HIV/STI transmission through interviews, surveys, and workshops given to the truck drivers. Special attention was given to self reports of sexual behavior, cognitions and ego maturation stages, in order to assess risk. Mixed methodology was the research paradigm of choice, utilizing qualitative and quantitative phases. Workshops were designed, implemented, and evaluated. Analysis was completed on survey results from 246 male truckers (aged 18 to 67). More than half (56%) of these truckers admitted to having sex with casual partners. In addition, from 30% (quantitative inquiry) to 52% (qualitative inquiry) of these truck drivers have had sexually transmitted infections. Three factors predicted condom use: Age, Outcome expectancies, and Perceived social norms. Only one factor predicted STI history: Number of sex partners. Adult stage theory did not directly impact sexual behavior. A high risk of HIV/STI transmission has been detected in Bolivian truck drivers. This notion supports other studies involving truck drivers, and calls attention to the need for tailored health education programs for this population. Furthermore, younger truck drivers are at greater risk of HIV transmission than older truck drivers, in spite of their increased condom use. Sexual health workshops for Bolivian truck drivers are worthwhile and can be most effective when co-managed with truck companies or unions. Counseling, testing, and follow up research programs can best be implemented through these already-existing management structures. Future programs need to emphasize other behaviors besides condom use. Workshops should also include truckers' spouses as participants. Lastly, since casual sex partners of truck drivers rarely fit the mold of a commercial sex worker, effort should be made to describe these casual partners and design subsequent workshops for them.

Os caminhoneiros de estrada constituem um grupo de grande mobilidade geográfica em função do trabalho – o transporte de cargas, que exige vários dias até meses fora de suas casas e longe da família. A solidão a que se vêem condicionados torna alguns destes profissionais vulneráveis a manterem relacionamentos sexuais no transcurso das viagens. Assim, este estudo tem por objetivo investigar os fatores de vulnerabilidade entre os caminhoneiros de estrada para o risco de contaminação com o HIV/aids. A metodologia utilizada foi o método quali-quantitativo que teve como eixo norteador a pesquisa – ação e o método da problematização de Paulo Freire. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de janeiro a fevereiro de 2003, através de uma entrevista semi-estruturada. Foram entrevistados neste período 50 caminhoneiros de estrada presentes nas cooperativas que serviram de campo para este estudo. A análise dos dados quantitativos foi feita com base na estatística descritiva e os dados qualitativos através do método de Bardin (1979). Os resultados encontrados apontam que os caminhoneiros têm conhecimentos sobre vários aspectos da transmissão da aids, mas muitos se envolvem em relacionamentos sexuais na estrada sem o uso do preservativo. Por outro lado, o uso de álcool e anfetaminas (para reduzir o sono) faz parte do cotidiano de alguns destes profissionais, constituindo fatores de vulnerabilidade, uma vez que sob o efeito da bebida nos pontos de paradas para descanso alguns se envolvem com prostitutas. Finalmente, concluímos que os comportamentos observados entre os caminhoneiros estão fundamentados em princípios socialmente construídos com base na cultura machista, levando muitos a se envolverem no sexo sem proteção ou a aventuras como forma de mostrar sua virilidade a qualquer custo, tornando-os, deste modo, vulneráveis a DST/aids. / The truck drivers constitute a group of great geographical mobility through the cargo transport that requires many days and until months far from their family and home too. The loneliness that they are conditioned, lead some these professionals to vulnerability and to keep sexual relations during their journeys through the highway. Thus, this study aims to investigate the vulnerability factors among truck drivers to the risk of HIV/AIDS’ contamination. The methodology utilized in this study was the quanti-qualitative method that had as the reference the research-action and the Paulo Freire’s problematization method. The data were collected in the months of January to February 2003 through the semi-structured interview. Fifty truck drivers were interviewed in the cooperatives that served as place to this study. The analysis of the quantitative data was based on descriptive statistic and the qualitative data through the Bardin’s method (1979). The results indicate that the truck drivers have knowledge about the several aspects of AIDS’ transmission, but many of them involve to sexual relations in the highway without use of condom. On the other hand, the use of alcohol and amphetamine (to reduce the sleep) is present in the daily life of some them and constitute vulnerability factors in the stop points to rest where the use of alcoholic beverages facilitates the sexual relations together whores. At last, we can conclude that the watched behaviors among the truck drivers are founded in socially built principles based on the culture of masculinity leading many of them to involve in sexual relations or just adventure without use of condom to show their virility all time, becoming them so vulnerable to STD/AIDS.