System Thinking Approach in Road Crash Analysis: A Catalyst to Improved Road Safety in Zambia

Abstract

Road Safety is currently one of the major problem for both developed and developing countries due to its negative impact on the economy. Although many scholars have advocated for numerous approaches in accident analysis, there seems to be an increase in road crashes every year. This study analyses two road crashes and one driver behavior case studies using system thinking analysis approach. The objective of this study was to develop models that could help in grasping the complexity in the underlying causes of road crashes in Zambia with the use of three case studies. Further in this discourse, we review literature to elicit discussion on the concept of ‘System Thinking’ in road crashes as a catalyst to improved road safety in Zambia. The case scenarios applied in the study illuminate how system thinking application can mitigate road crash investigation with the application of Swiss cheese accident causation and human factors analysis and classification system (HFACS) models. In addition the study focuses on how the application of system dynamics models with the use of causal loop diagram could help in understanding complex systems in road transportation and identify factors that contributes to road crashes. It is therefore concluded that adopting system thinking approach in road crash analysis could lead to greater understanding of the underlying factors and latent conditions in road crashes. This in turn will help inform the development of interventions, policies and strategies that will mitigate road safety challenges in road transport domain in Zambia and beyond.