The mechanics of being human. This project will lead to far more detailed understanding of skull mechanics in our own lineage. Results will be of great interest to international scholars in both evolutionary and biomedical fields and help to establish a primary position for Australia in the rapidly expanding area of computer simulation of biological structure. Further development on our own established protocols for automated transfer of CT scan data into finite element models, which have alread ....The mechanics of being human. This project will lead to far more detailed understanding of skull mechanics in our own lineage. Results will be of great interest to international scholars in both evolutionary and biomedical fields and help to establish a primary position for Australia in the rapidly expanding area of computer simulation of biological structure. Further development on our own established protocols for automated transfer of CT scan data into finite element models, which have already improved speed, accuracy and realism, will take finite element analysis to a point at which it can be more readily applied to evolutionary, biomedical and safety design questions.Read moreRead less
The influence of visible traffic enforcement on the incidence of other crime: Implications for intelligence-driven crime prevention. This project marks the first scientific investigation in Australia examining the potential for visible traffic enforcement to reduce other crime. It will: (i) examine the effect of routine traffic enforcement [deployed via traffic specific intellegence] on general crime rates (study 1); and (ii) determine whether the targeting of visible enforcement at crime "hots ....The influence of visible traffic enforcement on the incidence of other crime: Implications for intelligence-driven crime prevention. This project marks the first scientific investigation in Australia examining the potential for visible traffic enforcement to reduce other crime. It will: (i) examine the effect of routine traffic enforcement [deployed via traffic specific intellegence] on general crime rates (study 1); and (ii) determine whether the targeting of visible enforcement at crime "hotspots" can heighten this effect (study 2). The results of the studies will be examined in light of relevent theoretical perspectives pertaining to crime prevention, such as "broken windows" and deterence theories. The research complements a national move to increase intelligence-driven enforcement activities and will inform policing policy and crime prevention strategies worldwide.Read moreRead less
Developmental Pathways to Intimate Partner Homicide: Understanding Individual and Situational Dimensions. Intimate partner homicide is a serious public health and safety issue. This project will have several benefits. The findings will extend understanding of pathways leading to partner homicide. The findings will contribute to improved decision-making models by police and social welfare agencies. With more valid information about the changing characteristics leading to partner homicide, the fin ....Developmental Pathways to Intimate Partner Homicide: Understanding Individual and Situational Dimensions. Intimate partner homicide is a serious public health and safety issue. This project will have several benefits. The findings will extend understanding of pathways leading to partner homicide. The findings will contribute to improved decision-making models by police and social welfare agencies. With more valid information about the changing characteristics leading to partner homicide, the findings will foster more effective and efficient responses. Additionally, the findings will inform victims of partner violence of risks related to escalation toward fatal outcomes and should facilitate help seeking behaviour. Collectively, project findings should expand understanding, improve service delivery and save lives.
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Intermittent reinforcement scheduling: Improving methods for deploying speed enforcement resources. Road crashes cost Australia $6 billion a year and excessive speed is a major cause of severe traffic crashes. The innovative research will compare the impact of 'intermittent reinforcement scheduling' and 'fixed reinforcement' programs on the target behaviour. This research offers a rare opportunity to vary speed camera deployment to determine the optimal learning and deterrence mechanisms for spe ....Intermittent reinforcement scheduling: Improving methods for deploying speed enforcement resources. Road crashes cost Australia $6 billion a year and excessive speed is a major cause of severe traffic crashes. The innovative research will compare the impact of 'intermittent reinforcement scheduling' and 'fixed reinforcement' programs on the target behaviour. This research offers a rare opportunity to vary speed camera deployment to determine the optimal learning and deterrence mechanisms for speed control. This research will develop a parsimonious model of "best practice" in speed camera enforcement that will be used at the state, national and international levels to improve traffic enforcement and road user safety in metropolitan, rural and remote communities.Read moreRead less