Rail Safety And Reliability: A Human Factors/Ergonomics Approach. Recent rail crashes have focussed rail operators and the public on issues of rail safety and reliabilty. The project is a major initiative that will assist the development of safer and more reliable rail operations through the application of human factors and ergonomics methods to the design of train control and management devices and systems.
Occupant Protection in Far-side Crashes. Regulations and interventions to protect far-side occupants in side impact crashes do not currently exist, even though far-side occupants account for up to 40% of harm in real world side impact crashes. Through a comprehensive test schedule this research will develop an understanding of occupant biomechanics and injury mechanisms during far-side collisions. Current dummy bio-fidelity can then be assessed and improved, appropriate far-side test measures d ....Occupant Protection in Far-side Crashes. Regulations and interventions to protect far-side occupants in side impact crashes do not currently exist, even though far-side occupants account for up to 40% of harm in real world side impact crashes. Through a comprehensive test schedule this research will develop an understanding of occupant biomechanics and injury mechanisms during far-side collisions. Current dummy bio-fidelity can then be assessed and improved, appropriate far-side test measures developed, and recommendation for regulations made. It is anticipated that application of these test procedures will allow the development of innovative and world-leading far-side countermeasures that will ultimately improve vehicle occupant safety.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the mechanics of facet dislocation and fracture in the neck. This project aims to address shortcomings in understanding the mechanics of neck trauma. Understanding the mechanical factors leading to cervical facet dislocation and fracture is necessary to improve injury prevention strategies and their assessment. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of spinal injury biomechanics, developing and using new experimental techniques. The project expects to provide know ....Elucidating the mechanics of facet dislocation and fracture in the neck. This project aims to address shortcomings in understanding the mechanics of neck trauma. Understanding the mechanical factors leading to cervical facet dislocation and fracture is necessary to improve injury prevention strategies and their assessment. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of spinal injury biomechanics, developing and using new experimental techniques. The project expects to provide knowledge necessary to improve crash test dummy design, associated injury criteria, and computational models, which provide the potential for improved injury prevention measures and methods for assessing existing and new technologies. The anticipated benefits of this project will be significant in reducing the personal and economic burden of spinal injuries.Read moreRead less
Effectiveness and appropriateness of child restraints. This project aims to provide a definitive picture of the use, misuse and inappropriate use of child restraints in motor vehicles. It will evaluate the biomechanical and size deficiencies of current child restraints for the current population of children, and the implications for increased injury associated with these factors. This will provide a solid evidence base for improved child restraint design, education, and legislative changes.
Pedal and motor cycle helmet performance study. Cycling is a form of recreation and transport. Both pedal and motor cyclists are exposed to risks of head and neck injury. These injuries occur in young people and can have substantial health and economic impacts on the individuals and society. It is believed that injury rates can be reduced and an active lifestyle encouraged by improving helmet performance and understanding factors that lead to non-use. As helmet use is mandatory it is importa ....Pedal and motor cycle helmet performance study. Cycling is a form of recreation and transport. Both pedal and motor cyclists are exposed to risks of head and neck injury. These injuries occur in young people and can have substantial health and economic impacts on the individuals and society. It is believed that injury rates can be reduced and an active lifestyle encouraged by improving helmet performance and understanding factors that lead to non-use. As helmet use is mandatory it is important that Australians are provided with optimal helmets. The specification of product standards is also relevant for international trade agreements. Read moreRead less
Optimising protection for motor vehicle rear seat occupants. Road trauma is a leading cause of death and disability for Australians under 45 years of age. Recent technological advances in vehicle safety have focussed on drivers and front seat passengers, leaving the rear seat lagging behind. This project will adress gaps in protection for rear seat passengers, including increasing correct use of child restraints for young passengers from non-English speaking families, and evaluating new and exis ....Optimising protection for motor vehicle rear seat occupants. Road trauma is a leading cause of death and disability for Australians under 45 years of age. Recent technological advances in vehicle safety have focussed on drivers and front seat passengers, leaving the rear seat lagging behind. This project will adress gaps in protection for rear seat passengers, including increasing correct use of child restraints for young passengers from non-English speaking families, and evaluating new and existing technologies for older passengers.Read moreRead less
Optimising train driver vigilance system: reactivation of a fatigued driver. Fatigue poses frequent problems in train drivers. The repetitive nature of the train-driving task is a precursor of fatigue. This application proposes a novel design concept for the current train driver vigilance system manufactured by our industry partner. The proposed new vigilance system will not only assure that the driver is awake by warning of fatigue states, but will also act as an important cue in the control of ....Optimising train driver vigilance system: reactivation of a fatigued driver. Fatigue poses frequent problems in train drivers. The repetitive nature of the train-driving task is a precursor of fatigue. This application proposes a novel design concept for the current train driver vigilance system manufactured by our industry partner. The proposed new vigilance system will not only assure that the driver is awake by warning of fatigue states, but will also act as an important cue in the control of the train. Incorporating fatigue detection in the vigilance monitor is of commercial value to our industry partner. Furthermore, this study will help improve the safety culture of the railway environment.Read moreRead less
Dynamic Rollover Occupant Protection (DROP): evaluation and regulation. This projects seeks to establish which occupant crashworthiness attributes a vehicle must possess to prevent injury in a rollover crash. The results will assist regulators, industry and consumer groups understand which critical factors need to be considered to develop rollover crashworthiness regulations, consumer tests and vehicle purchase policy.