School zone and roadwork safety

This research will collect and analyse new data about risky driver actions that lead to serious road crashes near school zones and around roadwork sites through innovative methods. This project is being undertaken by Deakin University (Lead Organisation) and the Queensland University of Technology.

School zone sign

Background

The National Road Safety Action Plan (NRSAP) 2023-25 identifies vulnerable road users as a priority for action, and children a key vulnerable demographic with a high risk of road fatality and injury. The NRSAP 2023-25 is also concerned with improving safety at roadwork sites, as people who carry out their work on roads, such as traffic controllers and delivery riders, also face considerable risk to their health and safety due to road related hazards.

Speeding is recognised as one of the major causes of crashes at both roadwork sites and in general. It is estimated that between 70-98% of drivers speed through roadwork sites in Australia (Debnath et al., 2014). In contrast, evidence suggests there is more public support for and general compliance with reduced speeds in school zones but not at roadworks. Why these differences in speeding behaviours exists, how drivers perceive crash risk and what motivates them to slow down in school areas over others, will all be explored in this research.

Objectives

This research aims to improve safety in school and roadwork zones by collecting and analysing new data about risky driver actions that lead to serious road crashes through an innovative naturalistic driving method.  

The outcomes of this project will allow: 

  • Identification of the common types of infrastructure that can cause conflict between roadworkers/school children and motor vehicles,  
  • Examine the causes and risk factors of these conflicts, and  
  • Develop an innovative educational approach to improve driver behaviour and reduce crashes.  

New data and insights about crash causation process, including risky driver actions that lead to fatal and serious injury crashes in school zones and roadwork sites. will help improve driver behaviour and reduce crashes in both types of areas.  

Reference:
Debnath, A., Blackman, R., & Haworth, N., (2014). A Tobit model for analyzing speed limit compliance in work zones. Safety Science, 70, p. 367-377.

Further updates will be provided as this project progresses.

This research is funded by the National Road Safety Action Grants Program