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 be undertaken in the latter half of the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Road Safety courses and will draw together the various themes developed during the program. It is designed to provide you with an opportunity to study and respond to an existing or emerging road safety problem. You will be required to draw on the knowledge and skills you have developed to investigate and recommend solutions to the problem. As far as possible, the unit will be designed to reflect the way road safety problems are approached and managed by road safety agencies.

Aims

The aim of this unit is for you to utilise the knowledge and skills you have acquired to investigate and recommend a solution to a current road safety problem.

Objectives

On completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. identify road safety problems through the analysis of road crash data and other information sources;
   
2. use theoretical models to conceptualise the factors underpinning road safety problems and related countermeasures;
   
3. use qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse road safety problems;
   
4. design and implement research programs;
   
5. prepare reports documenting road safety problems and related research studies; and
   
6. deliver verbal presentations summarising the methods and findings of research projects.

Content

The unit will be constructed around an existing or emerging road safety problem, selected by the student in consultation with the Unit Co-ordinator. The students will be required to:

1. investigate and document the nature of the problem through the analysis of:

• road crash and other relevant secondary data;


• local, national and international scientific literature;


• government policy; and


• other information sources, such as the media.

2. liaise with fellow students and other road safety professionals.
3. select an appropriate theoretical model to conceptualise the problem and to guide further research or evaluation.
4. conduct qualitative and quantitative research to either:

• better conceptualise the road safety problem, or


• evaluate an existing countermeasure targeting the problem; and

5.recommend research and policy actions required to address the problem.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will combine skill-oriented seminars with a self-paced, supervised learning program. You will be required to attend a series of 3-hour seminars during the semester, covering core skills required for analysing road safety problems. These seminars will be discussion-oriented to promote critical analysis and debate. You will present the results of your work at two of these seminars.

In addition, you will undertake two major research-oriented tasks under the supervision of the Unit Co-ordinator or another relevant member of staff. While you will work in a self-paced manner on these tasks, you will be required to meet specific assessment milestones during the semester. You will also be required to discuss your progress with your supervisor on a weekly basis, either in person or electronically.

Assessment name: Student Presentation 1
Description: Student Presentation 1: 15-20 minute PowerPoint presentation detailing results of the above review (with accompanying notes).
Relates to objectives: 1-6
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Report 1
Description: Report 1: Documenting a road safety problem, including review of the available data and literature, and relevant theoretical issues (3000-3500 words).
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Student Presentation 2
Description: Student Presentation 2: Recording (VHS or DVD) of 15-20 minute presentation detailing results of the above research.
Relates to objectives: 1-6
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 12

Assessment name: Report 2
Description: Report 2: Documenting the findings of research undertaken to either (a) better conceptualise a road safety problem, or (b) evaluate a relevant countermeasure (3000-3500 words).
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of exam period

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

Resource Materials

Clark, J. (Ed.) (1999). Safe and mobile: Introductory studies in road safety. Armidale: Emu Press.


References

Evans L. (1991). Traffic safety and the driver. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold. (Available on-line at: www.scienceservingsociety.com/book/)

Hauer E. (1997). Observational before-after studies in road safety - Estimating the effect of highway and traffic engineering measures on road safety. Oxford: Pergamon

Rothengatter T. and Carbonell Vaya E. (Eds.) (1997). Traffic & transport psychology: Theory and application. Amsterdam: Pergamon.

Trinca G.W. et al (1988). Reducing traffic injury - A global challenge. Melbourne: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Watson B., Fresta J., Whan H., McDonald J., Dray R., Bauermann C. and Churchward R. (1996). Enhancing driver management in Queensland. Brisbane: Land Transport & Safety Division, Queensland Transport.

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