Behavioural Science
Led by Associate Professor Sjaan Koppel, the Behavioural Science team applies innovative, transdisciplinary expertise to understand complex human behaviour and develop practical, evidence-based safety solutions. Their work spans all transport modes, as well as safety in workplaces, homes, and communities. Guided by national safety priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the team translates research into policies and practices that promote safer environments and enhance well-being at every level of society.
Recognised nationally as Australia’s leading research group focused on the safe mobility of older adults, people with medical conditions, and children, the team had a highly impactful 2024.
Major projects
A major highlight was a collaborative analysis of naturalistic driving data from the Young Australian Naturalistic Driving Study (YANDS) and the Australian Naturalistic Driving Study (ANDS). Conducted in partnership with the University of New South Wales, the Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q), and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, the study examined non-driving task engagement among young (17–18 years) and experienced (25–62 years) drivers. Findings revealed that young drivers were distracted for 58.4% of their driving time, compared to 45.3% for experienced drivers. Funded by the Road Safety Commission WA and the Australian Research Council (ARC), the research provides critical evidence to inform behavioural interventions that reduce distraction-related crash risk.
The team also contributed to the NTARC Major Incident Investigation Report, identifying risk factors in the heavy vehicle sector and supporting industry engagement through webinars and targeted safety initiatives. In collaboration with the National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP) and Gallagher, the team conducted a risk maturity gap analysis for Hireup’s grey fleet, providing recommendations to strengthen its safety management system. Additionally, a study led by Dr Hayley McDonald and funded by the ACT Government investigated road safety issues around Canberra’s light rail network.
In the workplace road safety domain, the team contributed to a Baseline Research Program study exploring how a strong organisational safety culture can foster safer road behaviours, providing practical insights for improving work-related road safety in both the light commercial and gig economy sectors.
Team milestones
A significant milestone was the promotion of Dr Hayley McDonald to Level B Research Fellow, recognising her leadership in young driver research, her success in securing research funding, and her contribution to policy influence. The team also invested in research capacity building, mentoring Honours students who investigated topics including AI in road safety, vehicle automation, and child road user safety. Monash Data Science interns contributed by examining the role of weather in heavy vehicle crashes.
Student success
Two international PhD students - from Italy and China - joined the team to explore sustainable transport and occupational road safety, and co-supervised candidate Dr Kathie Pawluk De-Toledo was awarded her PhD for her research on post-pandemic urban travel behaviour, offering important insights for future transport planning.
Impact
Across 2024, the team co-authored 19 peer-reviewed manuscripts through national and international collaborations with researchers throughout Australia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Italy, France, and China, spanning studies on child restraint use and injury severity, young driver behaviour, NDS data, automated vehicle takeovers, and psychological risk factors in transport safety.
With expertise spanning questionnaire development, neuropsychological assessments, NDS methodologies, longitudinal research, scientometric analysis, and systematic reviews, the Behavioural Science team delivers rigorous, data-driven insights. By combining behavioural science, psychology, and transport safety, and working closely with government, industry, and academic partners - particularly through the NRSPP - they continue to shape safer systems and reduce injury risk across multiple sectors.