Summary

Thresholds for detection of angular velocity were determined in young and older observers for a target simulating the motion-in-depth of a motor vehicle at night. Thresholds were determined for a range of target sizes and for central and peripheral viewing conditions. We found significant differences in thresholds between these groups with the older subject group performing worse. Angular velocity thresholds increased with target angular size and with peripheral viewing.

Summary

This project was a continuation of a previous study in speed perception that evaluated the role of the type of road and road width, roadside development, travel speed, driving experience and the sex of the driver on estimates of safety and travel speed (Fides, Fletcher & Corrigan, 1987). In the first experiment, the effect of night driving and time of testing on a driver's perception of speed on straight rural roads was assessed using the previous methodology.

Summary

This report describes the road crash fatality risks of Australians in 1984-85. Risk measurements or fatality rates are calculated as the average number of fatalities per distance travelled, time spent travelling and number of trips. They are estimated for five groups of road user (car drivers, car passengers, motorcycle riders and pedestrians) tabulated for sex, age and each of five factors (time of day, day of week, season, State or Territory and holiday/non-holiday period).

Summary

A total population 10 year survey of bicycle/motor-vehicle collisions involving injured children (0-14 years) is reported from Queensland, Australia. Two thousand two hundred and ninety consecutive unselected cases have been analysed. Pedal cyclists comprised 97.9 percent, and 2.1 percent were pillion ("doubling") passengers. Fatalities occurred in 3.7 percent of cases and 44.6 percent were hospitalised.

Summary

This report outlines the findings of a pilot survey conducted by the Transport Research Centre (TRC) at Macquarie University and National Survey Research Pty Ltd (NSR), of long distance truck drivers in Sydney in September 1989. The pilot survey was funded as a seeding grant from the Federal Office of Road Safety and is the forerunner to a wider study of long distance truck drivers throughout Australia in 1990.

Summary

The report addresses the topic of aggression in driving, with a consideration of a number of subject areas: theories of aggression; the definition of aggressive behaviour in driving; measurements of aggression; extreme forms of driver aggression; less extreme forms of driver aggression. The report's conclusions focus on society's role in aggressive behaviour, strategies for coping with aggression, including driver education and screening, and directions for future research.

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Summary

This report describes the road crash fatality risks of Australians in 1984-85. Risk measurements or fatality rates are calculated as the average number of fatalities per distance travelled, time spent travelling and number of passengers, motorcycle riders, bicyclists and pedestrians) tabulated for sex, age and each of five factors (time of day, day of week, season, trips). They are estimated for five groups of road user (car drivers, car State or Territory and holiday/non-holiday period).

Summary

In this introductory study into one specific aspect of the bull-bar problem, a statistical sampling was conducted to evaluate the number of passenger cars fitted with bull-bars in metropolitan Melbourne. Experiments were carried out using a pedestrian dummy and two car models fitted with different types of bull-bars. The motion of the dummy during collision was recorded and evaluated.

Summary

At least 90 per cent of passenger car occupants aged 8 years and over have a seat belt available in their seat position. Unfortunately many occupants do not wear the belts provided. The differences between wearers and non-wearers are described in terms of factors including age, sex, seating position, type of belt, time of day, day of week and weather condition. Additional data on socioeconomic status and drinking habits may be required if the “hard-core” group of non-users are to be effectively tackled.

Summary

Australian Design Rule No. 2 (ADR 2) specifies requirements for side door latches and hinges, with the intention of minimising the likelihood of occupant ejection in crashes. It came into effect for new passenger cars and derivatives on 1 January 1971 and for other types of vehicles at later dates. Australian manufacturers began fitting so-called “anti-burst” door latches to some cars in the early 1960’s.