Research themes

Motorcycle riders face distinct safety challenges due to visibility issues and complex interactions with other road users. Our motorcycle safety research uses advanced simulation technology and real-world observation to understand how riders and drivers detect and respond to each other in various road environments. We are investigating rider decision-making, hazard perception, and the factors contributing to motorcycle crashes and injuries. Our work examines lane filtering behaviour, rider and pillion training effectiveness, motorcycle technology and safety innovations, and strategies to improve mutual awareness between motorcyclists and other road users. Our goal is to reduce motorcycle-related fatalities and serious injuries in Queensland.

Our work driving safety research examines the unique challenges faced by people who drive as part of their employment. We investigate how workplace pressures, vehicle characteristics, and task demands influence driver behaviour and safety outcomes. Current research directions include understanding multitasking behaviours in mobile workplaces, the effects of time pressure and monotony on driver performance, and interactions between different vehicle types in work settings and risk management processes and systems. We are also exploring how vehicle familiarity, trip planning strategies, and driver training and education can improve safety for fleet operators, delivery drivers, and other professional road users.

Adverse weather creates a significant driving hazard, with crash patterns differing substantially from those observed in clear (dry) conditions. Our storm and weather driving research investigates how drivers perceive risk, make decisions, and adapt their behaviour when faced with reduced visibility and challenging road conditions. We are exploring the role of technology in weather-related driving, understanding when and why people choose to drive during severe weather events, and identifying how driver detection and response capabilities are affected by environmental conditions such as rain, fog, and storms. This research aims to inform driver education, emergency preparedness planning, and targeted safety interventions for adverse weather driving.

Heavy vehicles present unique road safety challenges due to their size, weight, and operational characteristics that differ significantly from passenger vehicles. Our heavy vehicle research investigates how other road users interact with trucks and how these interactions can be improved to reduce crashes. We examine driver awareness and understanding of heavy vehicle limitations, overtaking behaviours, and the effectiveness of vehicle design features such as taillight configurations. Our work will inform driver education, heavy vehicle operator training, and vehicle safety design to create safer interactions between heavy vehicles and other road users on Queensland roads.

Organisational vehicle fleets and grey-fleet operations (employee-owned vehicles used for work) face distinct safety management challenges. Our research in this area explores risk factors specific to workplace driving contexts, including how vehicle allocation practices, time pressure, and workplace culture influence driver behaviour and safety outcomes. We investigate issues such as vehicle familiarity, fatigue management strategies for long-distance work driving, and the impact of workplace demands on driver decision-making. This research will provide evidence-based guidance for fleet managers, organisations, and policymakers to develop effective workplace road safety programs and policies that protect workers who drive as part of their employment.

Emergency vehicles operating under lights and sirens create complex and time-critical interactions with other road users. Our emergency vehicle research examines both sides of these interactions: how civilian drivers understand and respond to emergency vehicles, and the experiences and challenges faced by emergency responders when navigating traffic. We are investigating drivers' knowledge of road rules regarding emergency vehicles, their decision-making when encountering emergency services, and factors that influence behaviour in these high-pressure situations. This research aims to guide evidence-based recommendations for public education campaigns, driver training, and road safety initiatives that improve safety for both emergency personnel and the broader community.