Assessment of the Challenges facing Truck Drivers’ Performance in Logistics Companies in Tanzania: A Case of Usangu Logistics Company

Charles Prosper; Msabaha Juma Mwendapole

doi:10.18535/sshj.v9i09.1959

Abstract

This study investigates how road infrastructure affects the operational performance of truck drivers at Usangu Logistics Company in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Employing a convergent mixed‐methods design, data were gathered from 63 drivers via structured questionnaires and from 33 key informants through semi‐structured interviews, alongside company performance logs. Quantitative analysis yielded a Composite Infrastructure Index mean of 3.94 (SD = 0.88) and revealed a strong positive correlation with delivery delays (r = .62, p < .001). Regression results showed each one‐unit increase in perceived infrastructure strain added 0.83 hours to average delivery time (R² = .38, p < .001). Thematic analysis identified three primary challenges potholes and surface degradation; seasonal flooding and detours; and poor signage and lighting which drivers linked to prolonged transit times and safety risks. These findings align with prior research demonstrating that targeted pavement repairs and drainage improvements can enhance timeliness and reduce accidents. The study recommends routine pothole maintenance, resilient drainage installations, and installation of reflective signage and lighting to improve delivery reliability, lower operating costs, and bolster driver safety.

Keywords

Artificial IntelligenceIdolatryPsalms 115:4-8AfricanYoruba Culture

References

Bayoumi, A., Elgazzar, M., & El‐Bary, H. (2021). Impact of road resurfacing on supply‐chain timeliness: Evidence from North Africa. Journal of Transport Infrastructure, 15(2), 45–62.Google Scholar ↗
Chinonso, I., Okafor, D., & Umeh, J. (2020). Driver fatigue and performance in Nigeria’s road‐freight sector. African Journal of Logistics, 8(1), 23–39.Google Scholar ↗
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗
Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗
Das, S., Bhattacharya, T., & Chattopadhyay, P. (2018). Impact of roadside shoulders on truck operating time: A case study in India. International Journal of Logistics Research, 11(3), 88–102.Google Scholar ↗
FMCSA. (2022). Large truck crash causation study. U.S. Department of Transportation.Google Scholar ↗
Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1976). Motivation through the design of work: Test of a theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 16(2), 250–279.Google Scholar ↗
Hale, K., McGaw, D., & Rondinelli, D. (2019). Road lighting and crash reduction: A global review. Safety Science, 112, 1–9.Google Scholar ↗
LATRA. (2023). Annual road safety report. Dar es Salaam: Land Transport Regulatory Authority.Google Scholar ↗
Mayring, P. (2015). Qualitative content analysis: Theoretical foundation and procedures. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 16(3), Art. 20.Google Scholar ↗
Morisset, J., Alayande, S., & Kalu, I. (2020). Freight operations on poor roads: Evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa. Transport Policy, 87, 90–99.Google Scholar ↗
Nkotho, V., & Muneera, M. (2021). The effect of reflective road markers on accident rates in rural Uganda. Journal of Safety Research, 76, 67–75.Google Scholar ↗
Ouma, Y. O., & Tateishi, R. (2016). Seasonal flooding and road impassability in Kenya: Implications for rural access. Wetlands Journal, 26(4), 251–263.Google Scholar ↗
Peprah, V., Mensah, P., & Atuobi, G. (2023). Road quality and delivery efficiency: Insights from Ghanaian logistics firms. Journal of African Transport Studies, 12(1), 15–29.Google Scholar ↗
Roberts, P., Kandhal, P., Brown, E., Lee, D., & Kennedy, T. (2018). Hot mix asphalt materials, mixture design and construction (2nd ed.). NAPA.Google Scholar ↗
Smith, B., & Nash, C. (2017). Assessing vehicle operating cost on urban highways. Journal of Transport Economics, 49(2), 123–138.Google Scholar ↗
UNECE. (2019). Road infrastructure guidelines. United Nations.Google Scholar ↗
URT. (2021). Tanzania transport sector performance report. Dar es Salaam: Government Printer.Google Scholar ↗
Wang, H., & Lee, S. (2018). Night‐time driving safety: The role of road lighting and signage. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 115, 22–33.Google Scholar ↗
World Bank. (2020). Tanzania Economic Update: Infrastructure and growth. Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-1] Bayoumi, A., Elgazzar, M., & El‐Bary, H. (2021). Impact of road resurfacing on supply‐chain timeliness: Evidence from North Africa. Journal of Transport Infrastructure, 15(2), 45–62.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-2] Chinonso, I., Okafor, D., & Umeh, J. (2020). Driver fatigue and performance in Nigeria’s road‐freight sector. African Journal of Logistics, 8(1), 23–39.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Das, S., Bhattacharya, T., & Chattopadhyay, P. (2018). Impact of roadside shoulders on truck operating time: A case study in India. International Journal of Logistics Research, 11(3), 88–102.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] FMCSA. (2022). Large truck crash causation study. U.S. Department of Transportation.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1976). Motivation through the design of work: Test of a theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 16(2), 250–279.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Hale, K., McGaw, D., & Rondinelli, D. (2019). Road lighting and crash reduction: A global review. Safety Science, 112, 1–9.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] LATRA. (2023). Annual road safety report. Dar es Salaam: Land Transport Regulatory Authority.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Mayring, P. (2015). Qualitative content analysis: Theoretical foundation and procedures. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 16(3), Art. 20.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Morisset, J., Alayande, S., & Kalu, I. (2020). Freight operations on poor roads: Evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa. Transport Policy, 87, 90–99.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Nkotho, V., & Muneera, M. (2021). The effect of reflective road markers on accident rates in rural Uganda. Journal of Safety Research, 76, 67–75.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Ouma, Y. O., & Tateishi, R. (2016). Seasonal flooding and road impassability in Kenya: Implications for rural access. Wetlands Journal, 26(4), 251–263.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Peprah, V., Mensah, P., & Atuobi, G. (2023). Road quality and delivery efficiency: Insights from Ghanaian logistics firms. Journal of African Transport Studies, 12(1), 15–29.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Roberts, P., Kandhal, P., Brown, E., Lee, D., & Kennedy, T. (2018). Hot mix asphalt materials, mixture design and construction (2nd ed.). NAPA.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] Smith, B., & Nash, C. (2017). Assessing vehicle operating cost on urban highways. Journal of Transport Economics, 49(2), 123–138.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-17] UNECE. (2019). Road infrastructure guidelines. United Nations.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] URT. (2021). Tanzania transport sector performance report. Dar es Salaam: Government Printer.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Wang, H., & Lee, S. (2018). Night‐time driving safety: The role of road lighting and signage. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 115, 22–33.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] World Bank. (2020). Tanzania Economic Update: Infrastructure and growth. Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar ↗