Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit will provide a detailed review of the wide range of factors that influence the behaviour of road users, particularly those that contribute to the incidence of road crashes or exacerbate their severity. The review will consider all types of road users, including motor vehicle drivers and passengers; motorcycle riders, cyclists and pedestrians. Special emphasis will be given to high-risk groups (eg. young and older road users, alcohol-impaired road users, unprotectected road users). A range of theoretical models will be examined which have been either developed or used to explain the behaviour of road users. An overview will also be provided of the different techniques that can be used to study the behaviour of road users.

Aims

The aim of this unit is for you to acquire an understanding of the factors that influence road user behaviour.

Objectives

At the completion of the unit, you will be able to:

1. understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users;
   
2. appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes;
   
3. distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of personality, attitudinal and motivational factors;
   
4. use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users; and
   
5. understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours.

   Content

   The major themes that will be covered in the unit include:
   

   
   
   • the role of human factors in road crashes, including personality and emotional factors, psychomotor skills, perceptual and cognitive skills, attitude and motivational factors;
     
   • the influence of exposure and experience;
     
   • ergonomics;
     
   • the role of impairment, including alcohol and other drugs, fatigue, emotional and physical stress;
     
   • high risk behaviours, such as drink driving and speeding;
     
   • the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes;
     
   • commonly used theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users, including models of safe driving, optimism bias, risk homeostasis, various psychological theories;
     
   • techniques for studying road user behaviours, including: crash investigation and analysis, observational methods, roadside surveys, qualitative and quantitative surveys.

   Approaches to Teaching and Learning

   This unit will generally be delivered in the form of a weekly two-hour lecture, followed by a discussion-oriented tutorial designed to promote critical analysis and debate. Extensive use will be made of case studies to illustrate the value of a strategic approach to road safety and to provide problems for tutorial exercises and assessment purposes. The relevance of the unit will be enhanced through the use of guest lecturers from government and non-government agencies.
   
   The case studies will draw on both Australian and overseas experience, to increase the relevance of the unit for international students. Issues such as drink driving (alcohol use) will be treated in a culturally sensitive manner.

   Assessment name: Assignment
   Description: Annotated Bibliography: This involves the student obtaining 4-6 relevant and recent resoures (must be supplied with the assignment) relating to a particular human factor of his/her choice and providing a brief review of each. The student must then write a synthesis of the materials that discusses how the chosen factor contributes to road crashes (2500 words).
   Relates to objectives: 1-3
   Weight: 40%
   Internal or external: Both
   Group or individual: Individual
   Due date: Week 5
   

   Assessment name: Assignment
   Description: Presentation: This involves a review of a relevant theoretical perspective (chosen by the student from list supplied) applicable in road safety (15-20 minutes, individual task).
   Relates to objectives: 1,3,4
   Weight: 10%
   Internal or external: Both
   Group or individual: Individual
   Due date: Week 9
   

   Assessment name: Assignment
   Description: Report: The student selects a high-risk road user behaviour. The report involves a disussion of the factors (human and otherwise) that contribute to this behaviour, and the application of the theoretical approach from the presentation (or another relevant approach) to understanding the human factors (3500 words).
   Relates to objectives: 1-5
   Weight: 50%
   Internal or external: Both
   Group or individual: Individual
   Due date: Week 13
   

   Academic Honesty

   QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

   A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

   Resource materials

   Evans, L. (2004). Traffic safety. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
   
   Elliott, B. (1992). Achieving high levels of compliance with road safety laws: a review of road user behaviour modification. Brisbane: Parliamentary Travelsafe Leg.Ass.Q.
   
   Job, S.R.F. (1999). The driver: the psychology of road safety. In J. Clark (Ed.), Safe and mobile: Introductory studies in road safety. Armidale: Emu Press.
   
   Lonero, L.P., & Clinton, K.M. (1998). Changing road user behaviour: what works, what doesn't. Toronto: PDE Publications.
   
   Rothengatter, T., & Carbonel,l Vaya E. (Eds.). (1997). Traffic and transport psychology: theory and application. Amsterdam: Pergamon.
   
   Trinca, G.W., Johnston, I.R., Campbell, B.J., Haight, F.A., Knight P.R., & Mackay, M. (1988). Reducing traffic injury - a global challenge. Melbourne: Royal Australasian Coll.Surgeons.
   
   Wilde, G.J.S. (1994). Target risk. Toronto: PDE Publications.

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   Risk assessment statement

   There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

   Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

   Last modified: 13-Sep-2012