Research Infrastructure

Simulation facilities

MUARC has a long history of undertaking cutting-edge projects using a unique range of driving simulators, and possesses a STISIM 100WS driving simulator, and full car, truck, motorbike, and bicycle vehicle simulators with technology to measure driver physiology and behavioural response. The facilities include usability laboratories, rest room, ventilated study room for use in drug-behaviour studies, and participant debriefing areas. Simulator projects range from evaluating infrastructure design, vehicle automation, and in-vehicle technologies to driver responses to fatigue and distraction.

2025 Projects:

  • 'Development of an effective screening test to identify individuals in the early stages of dementia who are unfit to drive', PCI Professor Jennie Oxley
  • 'Human-factors considerations for successful implementation of automated vehicles in high risk drivers', PCI Dr Kristie Young

For more information on our simulation facilities contact Michael Fitzharris, Simulator Platform Manager

Large dataset expertise

MUARC specialises in analysing, linking, and drawing meaningful insights from large, complex datasets, including hospital, insurance, crash, and licensing data. We are experienced in handling sensitive information with rigorous data protection procedures to ensure security and confidentiality. Additionally, all research involving human participants undergoes ethical review and approval by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee, where a selection of our available research data is highlighted.

Injury Atlas

The Injury Atlas of Victoria is a free online tool which allows users to explore unintentional injury hospital admissions data from Victoria. Developed by Dr Himalaya Singh in the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU), there is a dedicated injury atlas for sports injury, falls injury and transport injury, as well as an overall unintentional injury atlas, for the years 2010/11 onward. Injury Atlas users can filter by demographics, geographical regions and injury characteristics. The de-identified data is supplied by the Victorian Department of Health (DH).

Enhanced Crash Investigation Study (ECIS)

The ECIS collected nearly 1900 data points on each of the 400 crashes. This information was used as the basis for determining the factors that contributed to the crash occurring, as well as understanding how injuries occur. The full ECIS database contains 3460 variables, including crash reconstruction analysis, detailed injury information and health data, as well as safety countermeasures for each identified crash contributing factor and injury causation risk factor.

Vehicle Safety Research Group (VSRG)

Through MUARC's VSRG, road crash data is used to produce the flagship Used Car Safety Ratings, a prominent source of vehicle safety information for the used car market, complementing ANCAP’s new vehicle ratings. The dataset is updated annually and currently contains data on 9.4 million vehicles and around 2.6 million injured road users involved in police-reported road crashes across Australia and New Zealand dating back to 1987. Through collaboration with Redbook, the crash data is linked with vehicle specification and technology fitment data. The rich data sources assembled and enhanced by MUARC, along with our staff expertise in data analysis, allows us to provide the most relevant and accurate safety ratings. We can also analyse past patterns, forecast future trends, and investigate topics of interest, including: primary safety; the effectiveness of new vehicle technologies; and cross-sectional or longitudinal vehicle safety performance of the fleet.

Naturalistic Driving Study Databases

MUARC is internationally recognised as a global leader in naturalistic driving study (NDS) methodology and analysis. Widely regarded as the ‘gold standard’ for understanding real-world driving behaviour, NDS enables the unobtrusive monitoring of drivers during routine trips and safety-critical events. MUARC leads and collaborates on four major NDS projects, contributing to one of the most comprehensive and diverse collections of naturalistic driving data globally. Each dataset offers unique insights into specific driver populations and key periods across the driving lifecycle.

  • Ozcandrive

    A landmark eight-year longitudinal study examining the driving behaviour of older adults, conducted in collaboration with research partners in Canada and the United States (US). Funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Ozcandrive represents the most extensive naturalistic dataset globally focused on older drivers. The study provides critical evidence to support policy and practice aimed at promoting safe and sustainable mobility in later life.

  • Children in Cars study

    A short-term international study exploring in-vehicle interactions between drivers and child occupants during two weeks of everyday driving. Conducted in collaboration with researchers from the US, Canada, and Sweden, and supported by an ARC Linkage Project, this study produced the only known dataset capturing naturalistic observations of drivers travelling with young children. The findings offer valuable insights into restraint use, driver distraction, and child passenger safety, informing the design of interventions, policy, and consumer products.

  • Australian Naturalistic Driving Study (ANDS)

    One of the largest and most comprehensive naturalistic driving studies undertaken in Australia, ANDS involved four months of continuous data collection to capture real-world driving behaviours across diverse conditions and jurisdictions. The project was delivered in partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR), and the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q), and co-funded by the ARC (Linkage and LIEF schemes). Government collaborators included VicRoads, the TAC, the Centre for Road Safety (NSW), the Motor Accident Commission (SA), and the WA Office of Road Safety. ANDS provides a nationally representative dataset that enables detailed analysis of driver performance, risk factors, and behaviour across Australian states and territories - supporting evidence-based approaches to road safety policy and regulation.

  • Young Australian Naturalistic Driving Study (YANDS)

    A targeted study focusing on the high-risk initial months of independent driving among young drivers. Conducted in collaboration with UNSW, the Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, CARRS-Q, and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), and funded by the Road Safety Commission WA and the ARC, YANDS is the first Australian naturalistic driving dataset to capture real-world behaviour during the critical early licensure period. These findings provide essential evidence to inform the development of novice driver education, licensing policy, and enforcement strategies.