Task analysis of transit bus drivers' left-turn maneuver: Potential countermeasures for the reduction of collisions with pedestrians

Left-turn maneuvers by transit buses are associated with a particularly high rate of collisions with pedestrians. The primary objective of the current study was, through task analysis, to gather a detailed outline of all mental and perceptual tasks that transit bus drivers complete when making a left turn at a signalized intersection. As a secondary objective, based on the task analysis examination, we proposed several countermeasures for the reduction of collision between transit buses and pedestrians. The task analysis revealed that transit bus drivers engage in various tasks during all stages of a left-turn maneuver. The results also showed that the task demand is at a peak during the performance of one of the most critical tasks - detecting pedestrians. Non-driving tasks that transit bus drivers are required to perform (e.g., collecting fares, providing directions to passengers) further increase the tasks demands. Based on the results of the task analysis, we proposed several potential solutions for the reduction of collisions between transit buses and pedestrians. The proposed countermeasures included a technology-based (collision warning system for both drivers and the pedestrians) and infrastructure-based (protected left turn signal for buses only) solutions, as well as examination of individual factors (e.g., stress coping ability) and the relationship with different aspects of driving performance.