Research team contacts

Principal Researcher:

Dr Sebastien Demmel, School of Psychology & Counselling, QUT

Associate Researcher:

Professor Sebastien Glaser, School of Psychology & Counselling, QUT

Dr Xiaomeng Li, School of Psychology & Counselling, QUT

Research Centre / Group:

ARC Training Centre for Automated Vehicles in Rural and Remote Regions

Industry partner:

DTMR, Psilogi

What is the purpose of this research?

This project will identify and measure the effect of fatigue on drivers of Level 3 vehicles by comparing fatigued participants after a work shift with rested participants. We expect to gain a better understanding of the influence of fatigue in a real-world setting and use this understanding to provide best practice guidelines to state and federal regulators as well as to the automotive industry.

Are you looking for people like me?

Are you a shift worker who works night shifts? You may be the perfect participant for the fatigued group.

Non-shift workers are invited to attend as rested participants.

To participate in the study you must:

  • be aged 18 or older
  • hold a valid driver's licence.

What will you ask me to do?

Participation in this study involves driving our automated vehicle, the ZOE2, on a closed driving circuit, as well as a driving simulator, while completing secondary tasks.

A session should take about two hours. Sessions take place at the RACQ Mobility Centre in Cornubia.

Are there any risks for me in taking part?

There are several risks associated with your participation in this project:

  • accident at the testing site
  • risk of discomfort or motion sickness while in the ZOE2 vehicle or the driving simulator
  • identifiable information will be collected using video recording devices.

As per the project's ethics application the research team is taking measures to mitigate those risks. Consult the participant information sheet for more details.

Are there any benefits for me in taking part?

It is expected that this research project will not benefit you directly. The outcomes of the research, however, should help the safe deployment and implementation of automated vehicles on Australian public roads in the future.

Will I be compensated for my time?

You will receive a $200 electronic gift voucher after completing your testing session. If you come to the tesing site but do not complete your session (for any reason), you will still receive a $50 electronic gift voucher.

Transport to and from the RACQ Mobility Centre will also be provided in the form of Cabcharge vouchers.

I am interested - what should I do next?

Complete the eligibility screener to register your interest in the study and organise a testing session.

QUT Ethics Number: 9974