Successful Applicants: 2005 Road Safety Research Grants
Ms Lyndel Bates, Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety-Queensland (CARRS-Q)
Factors influencing learner driver experiences
This study will survey learner drivers and parents/carers across two states with different driver licensing systems to identify the personal, social, legal (including licensing requirements) and socio-demographic factors that influence novice drivers experiences during the learner licence phase. It will examine how licensing requirements impact on learners experiences and what support is provided by parents or carers. This study will inform policy in relation to driver licensing, and provide baseline data which could be used to evaluate changes to driver licensing systems.
Mr Tom Gibson, Human Impact Engineering
Helmet protection against basilar skull fractures
A major cause of fatal injury to helmeted riders of motorcycles is basilar skull fracture from facial impacts. This project will investigate mechanisms of basilar skull injury to helmeted riders in a series of fatal crashes. The results will be applied to improving the test methodology to prevent these injuries.
Dr Julie Hatfield, University of New South Wales
The role of risk-propensity in the risky driving of younger and older drivers
This survey will investigate interrelationships between aspects of risk-propensity (measured using recently-developed questionnaires), age, experience, risk-perception, and risky driving to inform improved road safety countermeasures. It aims to disentangle the roles of inexperience, inaccurate risk perception, risk propensity (positive attitudes to risk itself). Data collection will involve a survey of 200 people at motor registries and 200 people at University. This study will contribute to improved understanding of the factors underlying the risky behaviour of young drivers, and could lead to better tailored countermeasures.
Dr John Patterson, Swinburne University of Technology
Instrumentation to acquire road profile data for use in whole body vibration apparatus
This study aims to replicate earlier survey research on vibration, with a stimulus that mimics the vibrations generated by selected road profiles at selected speeds. Subjects will complete a questionnaire on subjective changes in energy and mood, and heart rate variability and EEG measurements will be taken to validate subjective fatigue ratings. The study will also develop the instrumentation to allow real road profile data to be used to generate vibration signals for further research.
Dr Michael Regan, Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC)
Intelligent transport system technologies to support police enforcement activities
This study aims to identify and define, from first principles, intelligent transport systems (ITS) and telematics technologies which have significant potential to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Police enforcement activities in Australia. It includes a review of the literature and practice in relation to the enforcement activities undertaken by Police, the tasks involved, and the ITS applications that exist or could be brought together to optimise Police enforcement activities. It includes a process of consultation with relevant experts and industry groups.