http://hdl.handle.net/2440/17680 Thu, 25 Feb 2021 17:43:37 GMT 2021-02-25T17:43:37Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129298 Title: What contextual and demographic factors predict drivers’ decision to engage in secondary tasks? Author: Young, K.L.; Osborne, R.; Koppel, S.; Charlton, J.L.; Grzebieta, R.; Williamson, A.; Haworth, N.; Woolley, J.; Senserrick, T. Abstract: This study used data from the Australian Naturalistic Driving Study to study driver engagement in secondary tasks during every day driving and examine the role that various driver characteristics and driving context variables play in influencing the initiation of secondary tasks. Video from 186 randomly selected trips were viewed to identify a range of secondary tasks and to classify contextual variables at the point of task initiation (e.g. vehicle motion, weather, and light conditions). Results revealed that secondary task engagement when driving is highly prevalent, with drivers spending ~45% of their driving time engaging in potentially distracting tasks. The results also showed that drivers make a number of strategic decisions regarding when to engage, such as waiting until the vehicle is stationary; however, they do not appear to consider some contextual factors that may impact risks, such as weather and light conditions. The findings will be useful in targeting distraction countermeasures and policies and determining the effectiveness of these in reducing driver distraction. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129298 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/128889 Title: Driver distraction and inattention in fatal and injury crashes: findings from in-depth road crash data Author: Wundersitz, L.N. Abstract: Objective: This study investigated the contribution of driver distraction and inattention within fatal and injury crashes using recent in-depth road crash investigation data. To assist in developing system-based solutions, this study also examined the wider context in which inattention-related crashes occurred and the characteristics of inattentive drivers. Methods: The sample included in-depth crash data from 186 fatal and injury crashes in South Australia investigated from 2014 to 2018. Crash case notes were reviewed to determine whether there was evidence that attentional failures contributed to the crash. Using an adapted taxonomy of inattention, 5 subtypes of driver inattention were defined: Misprioritized attention, neglected attention, cursory attention, diverted attention (distraction), and unspecified inattention. The characteristics of inattention crashes were also compared with those for non-inattention-related crashes. Results: Of the 160 crashes for which there was sufficient information to determine whether inattention was a factor, 31.3% showed evidence of driver inattention contributing to the crash. The most common subtypes of inattention were distraction (13.8% of all crashes) and driver misprioritized attention (8.1%). The distraction-related crashes included a variety of different distractions, the majority of which were not technology based (e.g., passenger interaction, searching for/adjusting objects, emotional stress, other road users), with those located in-vehicle the most prevalent. Distraction from mobile phone use was identified in 2.5% of all crashes. The majority of distractions were cognitive (64%) and voluntary (77%) in nature. Inattention crashes were most likely to involve right turn/angle or rear-end crash types and occur at intersections, in metropolitan areas, and in lower speed zones. Conclusions: The findings established that almost a third of fatal and injury crashes involved driver inattention and distraction and many of these could have been prevented. System-wide solutions that could mitigate or prevent distraction crashes include intervening vehicle safety technologies, infrastructure solutions to promote a forgiving road environment, blocking capabilities within technologies to prevent communications while driving, and interventions communicating the risks associated with inattention. Of significance, this study also demonstrated the importance of in-depth data for understanding the contribution of distraction and inattention errors in crash causation. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/128889 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/126800 Title: Modelling a quad-bike rollover mechanism when traversing an asymmetric bump Author: Hicks, D.; Mongiardini, M.; Grzebieta, R.; Rechnitzer, G.; Simmons, K. Abstract: Experimental testing of a quad bike traversing a bump placed in-line with one of the vehicle’s wheel tracks showed that a passive rider could be displaced across the quad-bike seat resulting in the vehicle’s sudden unintentional steering. It was hypothesised that this ‘bump’ mechanism could result in a rollover. To determine whether such a bump mechanism can precipitate a rollover and under what conditions it occurs, an earlier developed quad bike FE model combined with a seated Anthropomorphic Test Device FE model was validated against experimental tests of the quad bike traversing a semi-cylindrical bump. A sensitivity analysis was then carried out varying the initial conditions of ground friction and approach angle on flat terrain. The FE simulations show that the bump mechanism, for a particular set of friction values and approach angle, resulted in a rollover. The identified bump-induced rollover mechanism could help explain some of the rollover-associated quad bike crashes on Australian farms where it was known that a fatality occurred as a result of rollover which happened due to traversing a bump from Coronial investigations carried out by the authors. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/126800 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/126321 Title: The relationship between Motorcycle Rider Behaviour Questionnaire scores and crashes for riders in Australia Author: Stephens, A.N.; Brown, J.; de Rome, L.; Baldock, M.R.J.; Fernandes, R.; Fitzharris, M. Abstract: Motorcycle riders are over-represented in road fatalities in Australia. While riders represent 18% of the road users killed each year, motorcycle registrations constitute only 4.5% of the registered vehicle fleet. The Motorcycle Rider Behaviour Questionnaire (MRBQ) was developed with a view toward understanding behaviours likely to be associated with crash risk. These include behaviours that are either intentional (such as violations of road and speed regulations and stunts) or unintentional (such as errors relating to traffic or control of the motorcycle), as well as protective behaviours related to use of safety equipment. The dual aims of the current study were, first, to determine the appropriate structure of a modified version of the MRBQ for use in a representative sample of riders in Australia and, second, to understand which MRBQ factors are associated with crash involvement. A stratified sampling procedure was undertaken to ensure the socio-economic status of local government area, age and gender of the sample was representative of the broader population of riders in New South Wales, Australia. The sample consisted of 470 riders (males=89%). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 29-item, five factor structure was suitable on the Australian data encompassing traffic errors, speed violations, protective gear, control errors and stunts. Overall, riders reported relatively safe behaviours, with frequent use of protective gear and infrequent aberrant behaviours. However, even though infrequent, violations of speed and errors related to control of the motorcycle increased the odds of near-crash involvement, whilst stunt behaviours were associated with increased odds of crash involvement. Interventions and countermeasures need to target these specific behaviours. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/126321 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z