Behavioral Transportation: The Role of Psychological, Cognitive, and Social Factors in Distracted Driving Behavior

Abstract

Logistics 4.0 suggests that increased automation can enhance performance, while Logistics 5.0 emphasizes the advantages of a modern workforce that combines humans and emerging technologies. However, the logistics industry needs a deeper understanding of human factors, an area that has been overlooked so far. To bridge this research gap, this dissertation investigated distracted driving behavior among individuals involved in transportation and logistics-based applications. This investigation employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Essay 1 focuses on a systematic literature review (SLR) that comprehensively analyzes published research on self-response studies regarding distracted driving behavior. The study identifies five overarching categories of distractions: (a) cell phone-related, (b) technology-related, (c) nontechnology-related, (d) psychological, and (e) personality. The findings underscore the substantial research conducted on self-reported distractions associated with cell phones and technology. Essay 2 employs the protection motivation theory (PMT) to develop hypotheses that predict the engagement of young drivers in texting while driving (TWD). In addition to TWD, the survey also included cognitive failure to examine the indirect effects of PMT on TWD within a mediation framework. The results, obtained through structural equation modeling with 674 respondents aged 18-25, indicate that several factors including response cost, threat vulnerability, cognitive failure, self-efficacy, and threat severity influence TWD behavior. Essay 3 investigates the influence of young drivers' respect for safety, neutralization techniques, and polychronicity on distracted driving behavior (DDB), based on the cognitive dissonance theory (CDT). The findings, drawn from 326 respondents aged 22-29 years, indicate that drivers who prioritize safety (respect for safety) are less likely to engage in DDB. Lastly, Essay 4 takes a survey-based approach to explore how factors such as respect for safety, polychronicity, and cognitive failure influence the likelihood of engagement in distractions among industrial operators, specifically forklift drivers, in warehouse and distribution centers (WDCs). The study's results indicate that cognitive failure has a negative impact on forklift drivers' distracted driving behavior, while polychronic tendencies help drivers avoid engaging in distracted behavior.