The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) has commissioned a study to better understand the root causes of traffic collisions involving heavy trucks in Ontario.
As a first step, a series of focus group discussions will be conducted with drivers of large trucks, police collision re-constructionists and MTO enforcement officers. MORR Transportation Consulting and R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. are partnering to conduct this study.
The focus groups involving truck drivers (12 in each group) will be held separately from sessions for the enforcement community; and will cover topics such as physical and psychological factors of driving, including skills; training and experience required; driver behaviour of both truck drivers and other vehicle operators on the road; driving infrastructure (roads and border crossings); environmental factors; regulation and enforcement; advanced technologies; and economic conditions. The discussion will last between 90 and 120 minutes. Discussion group participants will each receive an incentive for their time and to cover any costs for gas and parking. The dates and cities currently proposed for the sessions are:
Ottawa, February 9: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (face to face)
Ottawa, February 9: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (face to face)
Toronto, February 13: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (face to face)
Toronto, February 13: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (face to face)
Toronto, February 15: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (face to face)
Toronto, February 15: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (conference call to speak with drivers from other areas of the province, e.g. Northern Ontario)
Drivers’ participation in these focus groups is completely voluntary. Final results and analysis will be presented in aggregate form only; and any comments/quotes that drivers provide will remain anonymous.
Drivers who are interested in participating can either call 1-855-290-1132 or email largetruckstudy@malatest.com. Space is limited so please contact the consultant team ASAP to let them know you are interested and to receive information on meeting locations.
A focus group session for safety professionals is also being planned for later in February. OTA will share more details with the membership as they become available on this aspect of the study.