Centre for Automotive Safety Research reports

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Browsing Centre for Automotive Safety Research reports by Author "Australian Capital Territory Road Safety Fund"

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    Older pedestrians hit by motor vehicles in the Australian Capital Territory
    (Centre for Automotive Safety Research, 2022) Thompson, J.; Australian Capital Territory Road Safety Fund
    Older pedestrians are a growing and vulnerable road user group. They have an increased risk of serious or fatal injury if hit by a motor vehicle. Pedestrian safety is influenced by the design of the road system and available infrastructure. The capital city of Australia, Canberra, is a planned and walkable city. However, the road system may not be optimal for pedestrian safety. This report examined the number of older pedestrians (65 years and over) hit by motor vehicles in the Australian Capital Territory, with comparisons made to the number of younger adult pedestrians (18 to 64 years) hit by motor vehicles. Characteristics of the collisions, information related to the locations where they occurred, and the pedestrian injury outcomes were also examined to understand the crashes, in the context of the ACT and its infrastructure. Police-reported data for pedestrian-vehicle crashes in the ACT (2011 to 2020) were analysed. Fewer older pedestrians were hit by motor vehicles between 2011 and 2020 than younger adult pedestrians. However, they had similar rates of being hit per 10,000 population and older pedestrians had a higher overall rate of serious and fatal injury than younger adult pedestrians. Older pedestrians were more likely walking during daylight hours and on the footpath when hit compared to younger adult pedestrians, who were more likely walking at night when hit. Older pedestrians were more likely hit at uncontrolled road locations, while younger adult pedestrians were more likely hit at traffic lights and marked pedestrian crossings. GPS locations highlighted that pedestrians were commonly hit in the Canberra CBD. Police narratives and GPS locations were examined in detail for older pedestrians seriously or fatally injured from being hit to understand the crashes and determine whether the road design at the locations were adequate for pedestrian safety and what improvements could be made.
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    Survey of cyclist travel and crash experiences in the Australian Capital Territory
    (Centre for Automotive Safety Research, 2024) Thompson, J.; Ponte, G.; Australian Capital Territory Road Safety Fund
    Cycling is a popular means of transportation with immense benefits to both individuals (e.g., health) and society (e.g., environmental). The proportion of the population who cycle increased in all states and territories of Australia between 2001 and 2010, with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) having the highest proportion of cyclists. However, safety issues such as less than optimal infrastructure, near-misses, collisions with vehicles, and severe injury outcomes, could be holding back further increases in participation. This project investigated the daily travel and safety of cyclists in the ACT. Three hundred and twenty-one cyclists completed a survey about their travel, crashes, injuries, and perceived safety on the ACT road network. Participants were a broad cross-section of cyclists in age, gender, and home residence across the ACT. They regularly rode (81% rode 2 to 3 days per week or more) resulting in high average distances (average of 82 kilometres per week). Almost two-thirds (60%) identified as confident riders. Overall, 80% thought that Canberra is a safe place to ride. However, there were safety issues that they encountered on the ACT road system. They did not feel comfortable riding on many common road situations in the ACT, they reported a large number (272 locations) of infrastructure issues with the road network that affect cyclists, half (53%) had been involved in a crash, and two-thirds (68%) had experienced a near miss. These are likely to be substantial cycling barriers to less experienced cyclists, as well as individuals considering taking up cycling. Cycling-focussed infrastructure and facilities should be provided to encourage cycling and improve safety. It is hoped that the perspectives of the cyclists surveyed for this project can contribute to creating a safer environment for cyclists in the ACT.