A systems-based approach to deeply examine a downgrade-truck crash caused by a brake failure in Vietnam

Abstract

Truck crashes related to brake failure have been an increasing issue for traffic safety in Vietnam recently. Although previous studies have pointed out several variables directly related to this type of crash, there has been no research to further examine influencing factors resulting from other actors representing inside a roadtransport system and the interactions among them. A systems-based approach, enabling the analysis of the influence of various actors within the road transport system, was used in this study to elucidate the contributingfactors to a road traffic crash involving a truck traveling downhill apparently caused by a brake failure, on a mountain highway in Vietnam. The results indicated that apart from the direct factors leading to the accidentincluding the driver’s inexperience, the vehicle’s low quality, and severe road conditions, other actors at upper levels of the Vietnamese road transport system also had indirect effects on the collision. On the basis of theaforementioned findings, the implications for safety interventions and related policies were also discussed.