Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) Applications in Transportation Human Factors: Review Study

Abstract

As transportation systems become increasingly complex, human factors remain critical to safety performance. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) has become one of the most widely adopted frameworks for accident causation analysis, providing a structured approach to analyzing unsafe acts, preconditions, unsafe supervision, and organizational influences. This paper reviews HFACS applications in transportation research over the past 15 years. First, the theoretical foundations and core structure of HFACS are introduced, along with representative analytical methods commonly employed in accident analysis studies. Subsequently, HFACS applications are reviewed and compared across major transportation sectors, including aviation, rail transit, maritime transport, and road traffic. Finally, certain persistent challenges are identified, including ambiguous hierarchical boundaries, limited representation of dynamic risks, insufficient quantitative rigor, and relatively low information utilization efficiency. Future research may emphasize strengthening quantitative integration, enhancing multi-scenario adaptability, and incorporating data-driven and intelligent analysis techniques to strengthen proactive risk management in transportation systems.

Keywords: HFACS, Human Factors Analysis, Transportation Safety, Accident Prevention, Risk Management

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007829