TITLE:
Analyzing Drivers’ Mental Patterns Using Q-Methodology
AUTHORS:
Abbas Sheykhfard, Farshid Reza Haghighi, Mostafa Soltaninejad, Ali Karji
KEYWORDS:
Human Factor, Driver Mental Pattern, Q-Methodology, Factor Analysis, Questionnaire
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Transportation Technologies,
Vol.10 No.2,
March
30,
2020
ABSTRACT: The human factor is the most important cause of road
accidents. Investigating the drivers’ mental patterns can lead to a better understanding
of the factors that affect drivers to make a mistake and thus increase the
likelihood of an accident. In this study, mental patterns of drivers as a human
characteristic are determined through a questionnaire survey. To do this, 166
participants (18 - 65 years) were asked to express their opinion on the possible effect of 25 factors on the
occurrence of accidents. These factors were selected through the investigation
of the accident database during the last three years in different areas of the
case study. To analyze the data extracted from the survey, Q-methodology was
used. The results of the factor analysis showed that there are 5 mental
patterns among the participants. Based on the driver’s opinion, human factors
and road conditions were the most and least influential
accident-generating items, respectively. The most significant reason for accidents
determined by drivers was human errors including 1) unauthorized overtaking, 2)
unauthorized speed, 3) driver distractions (such as cell phone), and 4) driver
physical disability (such as visual impairment). Moreover, the failure of the
vehicle was mostly reported as
another influential contributor to accidents. It is
worth mentioning that the results of this
study can be used to minimize accidents resulted from drivers’ behavioral
errors by suggesting strategies for enhancing their performance through new
manuals which is a step towards a safer road.