Collecting better data on risky driver actions to improve safety at school zones and roadworks

Speeding is the primary cause of most crashes in Australian roadwork zones. Studies from QLD, VIC, and NSW reported that 70-98% drivers speed through roadwork sites, often at 20-30 km/h above the posted speed limits, but the extent of speeding is relatively lower in school zones. This project aims to improve safety in school and roadwork zones by examining the facilitators and barriers of the mismatch between drivers’ expectations and roadwork/school zone designs through an innovative user-centric educational intervention program. The aims will be achieved through a systematic methodology, involving:

• a nationwide driver survey,
• a semi-naturalistic driving study at school zones and roadwork sites using an instrumented vehicle with advanced eye-tracking capabilities,
• verbal protocol analysis of driver thoughts and actions, and
• evaluation of an educational program both in paper-based and Virtual Reality (VR) forms.