Western Transportation Institute - Centers
Center for Health and Safety Culture
Health and safety are impacted by culture. While science and technology have made great strides in creating a safer world, transforming culture is key to further improvements.
VISION: Healthier Environments - Safer Communities
MISSION: Improving Health and Safety through Cultural Transformation
Culture is complex and multi-faceted—it is the collection of shared values, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, rules, policies, and laws present in a community. Due to its complex nature, transforming culture to achieve lasting outcomes is challenging because it involves fundamental shifts in the way we view things. While change can be temporary, transformation is lasting, deep, and often involves paradigm shifts.
At the Center for Health and Safety Culture, we understand the challenges of cultural transformation because we have been at the forefront of using science to address social issues for decades. We have extensive experience and a unique model.
Transportation Issues Addressed:
- Transportation Safety
- Automated Enforcement
- Impaired Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Seatbelt Use
- Farm Safety
- Workplace Transportation Safety
I know firsthand that enforcement, road design, and vehicle technology can only go so far. It is critical that we address the driving cultures in our communities in order to reduce vehicle crashes and fatalities. Changing human behavior is the next important strategy toward lifesaving improvements in our public health system.
— Colonel Mike Tooley, Montana Highway Patrol
Leading the way in transforming culture
As nations strive to keep people safer, transportation leaders are embracing the need to both continually improve technology and transform culture. The Center has led efforts in increasing seatbelt use, decreasing impaired driving, and reducing underage drinking and tobacco use.
We use a unique approach called the Positive Community Norms (PCN) model. The PCN model focuses on three components: leadership, communication and integration of strategies unique to each issue.
We work side-by-side with our clients to ensure the project is a success and to build their capacity so they are able to sustain efforts into the future. PCN is not a program; it is a process. Our role is work with clients as this process is applied in their communities.
Who is the Center for Health and Safety Culture?
We are an inter-disciplinary team of researchers and practitioners from across North America dedicated to using science to address social issues. We believe cultural transformation is the way to improve health and safety and increase livability.
Solving challenges using the power of community
We believe in the power of community – whether that community is a state, county, city, workplace or school. The PCN model is based on Seven Core Principles which align with seven distinct steps to create a clear road map to success.
- Identify issues and prepare environment
- Measure baseline
- Make meaning, gain understanding
- Design and plan strategies
- Test and refine strategies
- Implement strategies
- Evaluate, reflect, and learn
Other Issues Addressed
- Workplace Safety
- Substance Abuse Prevention
- Public Health
- School and Community
- Organizational Leadership
- Violence Prevention
- Child Maltreatment
For more information on these issues, please visit: www.mostofus.org
Enhancing our traffic safety culture, in my opinion, is the key to moving towards a zero death future. And, I look forward to the contributions the new Center can make to overcome the challenges associated with this cultural change.
— Peter Kissinger, President and CEO, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Working towards healthier environments and safer communities with a variety of partners
The Center works with a variety of clients and sponsors including local, state and federal governmental agencies (e.g., state departments of transportation), private businesses, corporations, community coalitions and private foundations.
By building dynamic relationships through collaborations and partnerships with other research organizations, universities and consortia, the Center ensures that all research efforts are cost effective and relevant.
If cultural transformation matters to you, then the Center for Health and Safety Culture is your partner.
Recent project partners include:
- City of Edmonton Office of Traffic Safety
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Indian Health Services
- Montana Office of Public Instruction
- Minnesota Department of Human Services
- Wyoming Department of Health
Recent Activities of Center Researchers
Nic Ward, Jeff Linkenbach, Sarah Keller and Jay Otto wrote a white paper for "Towards Zero Deaths: A National Strategy on Highway Safety" entitled White Paper on Traffic Safety Culture.
Link to paper: "Toward Zero Deaths: A National Strategy on Highway Safety", White Paper No. 2
We have created a press release for the Action Framework for Transforming Traffic Safety Culture that Nic Ward, Jeff Linkenbach and Jay Otto developed.
Link to paper: An Action Framework for Transforming Traffic Safety Culture v5 12-31-2012
Contact:
Jeff Linkenbach Director, Center for Health and Safety Culture, Western Transportation Institute, (406) 994-7873