Analysing the root cause of the damage risk in heavy vehicles to reduce traffic congestion

Abstract

This study aims to investigate important damage risks in heavy vehicles on the highway using risk analysis method as well as to examine their root causes using Fault Tree Analysis (FTA). This is important as the basis for formulating the solution to solve the Non-Recurrent traffic Congestion (NRC) problems which often happens in Surabaya's arterial roads. Data was collected through series of research steps consisting preliminary survey, questionnaire survey as well as expert's interview survey. Five top risk events were obtained from risk analysis using Probability-Impact Matrix, namely flat tire, engine failure, damage on the axle, damage on the leaf spring, and accident. Meanwhile, 25 basic events were obtained as the root cause the five high risks based on FTA method. Eight highest basic events are overloading, poor maintenance, inadequate periodic vehicle inspection, potholes on road, poor road surface, inadequate or improper pre-operational check, driver behavior, and the road up or down steeply. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by proposing a framework to investigate NRC problem due to damage risks in the heavy vehicle by combining risk analysis and FTA methods to obtain a comprehensive understanding about this problem and to create a more sustainable road transportation.