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Date Available

4-14-2026

Year of Publication

2026

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

College

Engineering

Department/School/Program

Civil Engineering

Faculty

Gabriel Dadi

Faculty

Mei Chen

Abstract

Effective evaluation of safety training is crucial to ensure that learning translates into safe work practices, particularly in high-risk public sector environments. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is developing a Safety Academy to enhance hazard recognition, risk management, and safety leadership within the organization. However, the Safety Academy has not yet been implemented, and formal evaluation methods for training have not been established. This study aimed to examine evidence-based training evaluation techniques and develop recommendations for evaluating the KYTC Safety Academy prior to program implementation.

This study employed an applied pre-implementation research design grounded in a comprehensive review of safety training and training evaluation literature. Existing evaluation models and methods were examined, with particular emphasis on their effectiveness, feasibility, and relevance to safety-critical environments. Evaluation techniques were assessed using defined criteria, including alignment with training objectives, evidence-based support, practicality, and sustainability within public-sector transportation agencies.

Based on the literature, three evaluation techniques were identified as the most appropriate for the KYTC Safety Academy: pre- and post-training knowledge assessments, behavioral observations and skill demonstrations, and self-efficacy measurements. Together, these methods provide a multidimensional evaluation framework that assesses learning, anticipated behavior change, and readiness for training transfer. The study concludes that integrating these evaluation techniques into the Safety Academy’s design prior to implementation will support continuous improvement and provide the KYTC with meaningful data to guide future safety training efforts.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2026.45

Archival?

Archival

Funding Information

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary’s Office of Safety ‘Safety Academy’.” SPR 25-675. PI with Ms. Martha Horseman (KTC) as co-PI. Federal Highway Administration (80%) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (20%). $250,000. July 1st 2024 to June 30th 2026

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