For 20 years, MUARC has been making a difference in our communities by preventing injury and saving lives.
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| The Victorian Government’s five year road safety strategy ‘arrive alive!’ was influenced by MUARC’s research reviews and problem analyses.
As a result of MUARC research in the area of road safety, the many initiatives on speed, drink-driving and vehicle safety outlined in the Victorian government’s road safety strategy are as a direct result of this research. The TAC advertising strategies and Victoria Police speed and drink-driving enforcement strategies were developed as a result of the evidence-based research provided by MUARC. David Healy, Senior Road Safety Manager for the TAC stated in the MUARC 20th Anniversary corporate brochure that “MUARC has forged an enviable worldwide reputation for the high quality of its research and the calibre of its staff. It has been responsible for providing the TAC with expert guidance on a range of policy and program directions. Specifically, MUARC’s research and evaluative work has helped guide program investments in advertising and marketing, technology development and developing cost effective ways in which funds can be invested to help save lives on Victoria’s roads.”
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In 1991 MUARC began working with the State Coroner to convert the comprehensive paper based Coronial records to an electronic database. More recently our involvement led by Professor Joan Ozanne-Smith has been with the National Coroners Information System (NCIS). The fundamental aim of the NCIS is to provide comprehensive and up to date information to a range of users: coroners, public policy makers, and researchers. Information about every death reported to an Australian coroner since July 2000 (January 2001 for Queensland) is stored within the system, providing a valuable hazard identification and death prevention tool for coroners and research agencies.
For more information visit: www.ncis.org.au
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Awareness of the dangers of text messaging while driving was raised with a great deal of publicity around the country following a conference paper by MUARC’s Simon Hosking, Kristie Young and Michael Regan.
The effects of text messaging on young novice driver performance
See also www.monash.edu.au/muarc/projects/distraction.html
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| Dr George Rechnitzer identified that a number of design changes to heavy vehicles can be effective in reducing the injury risk to other road users. For example research showed improved results when a prototype energy absorbing underrun barrier was fitted to an Australia Post (and other) trucks. As a result BHP commissioned MUARC to design upgraded rear underrun barriers for some of their semi-trailers. This innovative research received international recognition and culminated in a postdoctoral thesis. Recommendations for the improvements to the front, side and rear of heavy vehicles have been used in a submission for proposed Design Rules for heavy vehicles. |
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| Max Cameron led an export of MUARC injury prevention recommendations which were integrated into future planning for road safety in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Extensive collaboration along similar lines over a number of years has occurred in New Zealand and Western Australia to assist in their road safety strategies. More recently Victoria’s methods are being shared with authorities in the USA. Increasing the awareness of policymakers as to what ‘works’ and what does not work in road safety, reinforces the need to focus on the most effective measures. From the Centre’s beginning, its staff have been involved in many such collaborations in Australia and around the world. |
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Findings published in the British Medical Journal revealed that exercise focusing on balance improvement could significantly reduce the number of falls in people aged over 70. MUARC’s research on falls prevention began in 1989 and has included a trial of falls prevention measures with the City of Whitehorse, which was selected by the US CDC for inclusion in their compendium of effective interventions to prevent falls and fall-related injuries in older adults; in a series of fact sheets; and a No Falls Exercise Program including a Train the Trainer exercise manual.
For more information visit: www.monash.edu.au/muarc/projects/product.html |
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Since the mid-90s MUARC has conducted valuable research into farm safety led by Dr Lesley Day. Some of the outcomes include: ‘Managing Farm Safety’ – a national training program resulting in safety actions being taken by farmers; STARS safe tractor rating scheme was developed by a team from MUARC and the Kondinin Group.
MUARC research provided the evidence that the retrofitting of older tractors with rollover protective structures (ROPS) is a crucial element in the protection of farm workers. The successful Victorian state-wide ROPS scheme in 1997/98 led to a 70% reduction in the number of unprotected tractors and decrease in the number of annual farm fatalities. Following the success of the Victorian scheme other states have since implemented a similar program. The 2005 Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the ‘Cause of Fatality and Injury on Victorian Farms’ highlighted the Victorian ROPS scheme as “one of the most celebrated examples of a successful program to improve health and safety on Victorian farms.”
For more information visit: www.monash.edu.au/muarc/projects/rural.html
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MUARC assisted the WorkCover Authority in developing its media campaign for Victorian injury reduction programs. Research showed the need for effective separation of pedestrian workers and forklifts and the development of internal traffic management systems.
A major project considered an integrated approach to forklift safety to contribute to a substantial long-term reduction in severe forklift injuries. This included design blueprints and logistics software for terminals, warehouses and goods dispatch/receiving areas.
Report: Forklift trucks and severe injuries: priorities for prevention
For more information visit www.monash.edu.au/muarc/projects/OHS/
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The Swedish Government’s introduction of bicycle helmet wearing is directly based on MUARC’s international review of evidence.
Report: Bicycle helmet use and effectiveness – Contract report to SNRA, Sweden
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Victoria Police traffic enforcement policy and operational strategies are influenced by MUARC’s evaluation research
www.monash.edu.au/muarc/projects/enforcement.html |
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| Recommendations from MUARC’s research into the prevention of DIY injuries contributed to The Hirer’s Association, with the assistance of the Victorian WorkCover Authority, implementing a swing tag on hired ‘do-it-yourself’ equipment containing safety information. |
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MUARC’s report No. CR100 for the Federal Office of Road Safety (FORS) on the expected benefits and costs of improved occupant protection in frontal crashes provided the basis for a new Australian Design Rule (ADR). Similarly for side impact protection and offset frontal impacts our research provided a valuable resource in the establishment of new ADRs.
Report 1: Feasibility of occupant protection measures
Report 2: Side impact regulation benefits
Report 3: Benefits of a frontal offset regulation
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Research into pedestrian safety issues began in 1995 when few proven pedestrian safety strategies and countermeasures existed. Building on the original research, activities have included: a Walksafe program undertaken in the City of Stonnington and Port Phillip; heavy involvement with VicRoads and councils in pilot studies aimed at reducing pedestrian fatalities; a project which described how the Docklands Precinct could “look and operate” is a model of what is possible when applying “Vision Zero” road safety principles. The results of a MUARC evaluation highlighted the substantial reductions to pedestrian injury risk that are possible when even small reductions in speeds are achieved.
For more information visit: www.monash.edu.au/muarc/projects/engineering.html |
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In 1988 and 1989 there were a large number of deaths in crashes involving trucks and buses in NSW. Many of these deaths occurred on the Pacific Highway where the rate of fatal truck crashes was up to 3 times greater than on the Hume Highway, taking into account the relative traffic flows. The study concluded that "the most significant countermeasure is clearly the provision of divided highways on major freight routes as this eliminates exposure to head-on crashes and to poor road alignment" (p.iv). This conclusion was used to support calls for duplication of the Pacific Highway, with an annual expenditure of $160 million by the NSW Government and $60 million by the Federal Government. It is estimated that the duplication will reduce the number of fatal crashes (involving heavy vehicles or light vehicles) by 90%.
Findings in a related research project into driver fatigue provided input into the development of new regulations for working hours for heavy vehicle drivers and were incorporated into publicity material on the need to take rest breaks.
Report: NSW heavy vehicle crash study
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Work with the Victorian WorkCover Authority targeting injuries to nurses and transport workers in the Ballarat region resulted in recommendations that led to a decrease in manual handling injury claims.
Booklet available: Safety by Design [pdf 827KB] |
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A major program aimed at understanding the over-involvement of young drivers in crashes has contributed to several initiatives to encourage learner drivers to gain more on-road experience prior to obtaining a probationary licence. A young driver research strategy was developed by MUARC who also assisted in the development of a book for learner drivers ‘Getting There – From Ls to Ps’ based on the Centre’s extensive research in the area of young drivers.
For more information visit: www.monash.edu.au/muarc/projects/youngdrivers.html
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“How to retire from driving handbook” was developed for the NRMA-ACT Road Safety Trust and the Council on the Ageing in Canberra. This was the first such handbook in Australia addressing this issue. The Victorian Parliamentary Road Safety Committee's recommendations for the trialling of model re-licensing procedures for older drivers are based in part on MUARC research in this area.
For more information visit: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/older/default.htm
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In its early years MUARC became involved in accident investigation and reconstruction. This work has included an ongoing series of projects for Holden which have been aimed at assisting with the design of new passenger cars to address emerging priorities for improved occupant protection.
Australian National Crash In-depth Study (ANCIS) commenced in 2000. The study aims to establish the causes and mechanisms of injuries in real-world crashes through in-depth crash investigations. The ultimate aim is the design of safer vehicles for Australian roads. A new study, Enhanced Crash Investigation (ECI) project, recently began (for VicRoads) to identify and resolve contributing factors leading to crashes in a ‘no-blame’ environment. This will raise the awareness of Stakeholders to road safety issues. These research outcomes provide a valuable resource for policy makers and designers. |
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| The research on the role of human behaviour in road crashes focuses on the assessment and management of risk of vulnerable road users and a human factors approach to understanding the human machine interface in road transport safety. Research undertaken is making a major contribution to the reduction of road crashes and injury severity, particularly within older drivers (65+) and younger drivers (under 25) who represent two of the most vulnerable road user groups. Research findings have made a substantial contribution to licensing policy both in Australia and overseas and include the development of innovative and practical assessment, management and education strategies to improve road user safety. The research into functional impairments including medical conditions, vision impairment and disability in relation to crash risk has identified fundamental discrepancies between medical licensing guidelines for fitness to drive and scientific evidence on crash risk. This report is now recognized internationally as the leading, authoritative resource on chronic illness and crash risk status and serves as a practical guide for decisions on fitness-to-drive. In the area of human performance and driving, the research has demonstrated the negative effects of mobile phone use and entertainment systems, as well as highway clutter on driving. Findings are informing the development of new policies in relation to the use of technological devices while driving and associated enforcement strategies. In addition the results from the internationally acclaimed TAC SafeCar project have demonstrated the positive effects on driving behavior and performance of a range of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) including seatbelt reminder and following distance warning systems. Conclusive results have led to the implementation of a variety of ITS technologies as standard features in a number of models in the Australian vehicle fleet. |
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MUARC research has influenced the Victorian Government’s roadside safety investment program.
For more information visit: www.monash.edu.au/muarc/projects/engineering.html
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| The results of a study – safe carriage of personnel in general service vehicles – provided the basis for important changes in a range of procedures for the carriage of personnel in the Australian Defence Force. |
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Ken Ogden's report on the effectiveness and large benefit cost ratio of sealing shoulders on rural roads contributed to the decision by VicRoads to allocate significant funds to such works.
Report: Benefit/cost analysis of road trauma countermeasures: rural road and traffic engineering programs
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| Recommendations made by the Centre on how to reduce suicides by motor vehicle exhaust gassing were included in a background report ‘Access to means of suicide by young Australians’ which was provided to the Advisory Group to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services. |
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MUARC’s work in developing crashworthiness ratings began in the early 90s and is now internationally recognised. This research has led to the development of the Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR), a comprehensive product guide providing consumers with a comprehensive guide on the safety of their current vehicle and any used vehicles they are considering buying both in terms of protection to the driver and how much damage the vehicle will inflict on other road users including cyclists and pedestrians in a crash situation. The TAC ‘howsafeisyourcar’ was developed as a direct result of the UCSR project and is heavily advertised across Australia. Over 200,000 individual users access this website every year. In addition, over 300,000 copies of the UCSR brochure are produced annually and can be obtained free from the public outlets of all project partners and are heavily promoted on partner websites including RACV, VicRoads, Australian Transport Bureau, NRMA and AA New Zealand.
For more information visit: www.monash.edu.au/muarc/projects/crashworthiness.html |
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VISU members have made contributions to injury prevention across a range of areas including: nursery furniture product safety; unintentional poisoning in children; sporting equipment; home injury; and in many contributions regarding standards, regulation and legislation.
Victorian day care centres started installing a finger jam protective device to doors following VISU raising awareness to this problem and assisting in the development of a finger-safe guard.
MUARC has played an important role in achieving the adoption of a national mandatory safety requirement that all disposable cigarette lighters have child-resistant features.
Findings on childhood poisonings were translated into an informative brochure in consultation with the sponsor Esso, which was widely distributed. A collaborative project with the Royal Children’s Hospital and Human Services led to design changes for packaging of infant formula.
Work undertaken for the Coroner contributed to mandation of the cot standard, review of the pram and stroller standard and government consideration of the introduction of ‘world best standards’ for baby walkers and high chairs.
VISU data analyses and recommended changes to the design of supermarket trolleys to reduce child falls contributed to the establishment of an Australian/New Zealand Standards Committee which the Centre is represented on.
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A major analysis of data for Marine Safety Victoria revealed water-skiing and jet-skiing as a major under-reported boat-related injury. Results from the study will be used to plan prevention programs.
Report: Marine safety in Victoria [pdf 308 KB]
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