Safe system strategies and road infrastructure

Many motorists take the complexity and importance of the science that underpins the design of our roads for granted. From the busiest city intersection to the loneliest outback highway, road design has a profound impact on our safety.

Our researchers are expert at identifying and understanding road safety injury mechanisms and risk factors, designing and evaluating countermeasure programs and translating new research knowledge into policy and practice. 

Qualifications in the engineering, psychology and statistics fields provide our scientists with the advantage of addressing such safety problems from both the human behaviour and technical aspects.

We have specialist expertise in the areas of road infrastructure design, and in pedestrian and motorcyclist safety, and collaborate on in-depth crash investigations. 

Our extensive partnerships with Victorian government agencies have led to us advise on strategy and policy development, develop large- and small-scale evaluations of road safety countermeasures, and recommend existing design and system modifications.

We use a variety of scientific methods, such as mathematical modelling, statistical analysis of road trauma problems and before/after evaluations of on-road treatments.

On-road coaching

Motorcyclists are 38 times more likely to be seriously injured in a crash than car drivers and passengers, and inexperienced riders in particular have a high crash involvement. 

Working with Honda Australia Rider Training and Learning Systems Analysis, our researchers have developed an innovative on-road coaching program for newly licensed motorcyclists. This world-first Motorcycle Safety Levy-funded program was developed to improve safety for Victorian riders. The four-hour program involves small groups of riders receiving feedback and advice on their riding by an experienced rider coach. A pilot study was completed in March 2010 and a large-scale trial of 2400 riders began in June following a public launch by the Victorian State Government.

The George Institute for Global Health will evaluate the impact of the program at the completion of the trial.