Enhancing Safety and Well Being of Aging Workforce within the Transportation Sector

University

Missouri University of Science & Technology

Principal Investigator

Islam El-adaway (eladaway@mst.edu)

Total Project Cost

$210,001

Funding Type

2023 USDOT

Start Date

6/1/2023

End Date

7/31/2024

Agency ID or Contract Number

69A3552348307

Abstract

"Increase of freight transportation has been on the rise in region 7. Thus, creating a motive to enhance the transportation system of the said region. Construction projects have been a key factor in the development of the transportation system. Such projects have faced safety incidents that would in turn deter the enhancement of the transportation sector. In fact, the examined literature has demonstrated the importance of a high safety factor to ensure a project’s success. As such, this study shall undergo a content analysis of claims filed to the workers compensation divisions within United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) region 7 to identify the most prominent incident causes, contributing factors, types, severity of injuries sustained as well as claim decisions. Furthermore, an association rule data mining approach will be adopted to identify the most critical combinations of causes and factors that contribute to safety incidents. Accordingly, these combinations and factors will be used to derive the most effective safety policies and mitigation resources allocation plans to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in the sector, in addition to potentially boosting employment and workforce retention."

Description

"1. Data Collection: Claims relevant to safety incidents shall be collected for USDOT’s region 7. 2. Content Analysis: the claims shall then be analyzed by developing a hierarchy classification system as follows: • Project Type • Age of participant • Main Cause behind incident • Other contributing factors • Age • Severity of injury • Claim Decision 3. Association rule data mining: an association rule data mining will be adopted on the above to identify the most critical combinations of causes and factors that contribute to safety incidents. 4. Development of Safety Policies & Recommendations: safety policies and guidelines shall then be developed for various scenarios under transportation projects in region 7."

Objective

"This research shall generate effective safety policies and allocate incident mitigation resources. Such results shall equip the transportation sector with proactive prevention and safety management solutions and policies that are broadly applied to all transportation associated workforce in a way that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion for all stakeholders."

Impacts/Benefits

"Results of this study shall equip the transportation sector with proactive prevention and safety management solutions and policies that are broadly applied to all transportation associated workforce in a way that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion for all stakeholders. This shall in turn bolster the USDOT’s strategic goals of having safe workers and eventually maintaining the jobs that it aims to provide. In fact, the economic stability of a society would then rely on such a firm industry that is not only growing in demand but will never be depleted. Therefore, marketing a safe and proliferate working environment for a workforce would ensure the success of a project, in turn the USDOT and eventually the national economic interests."