ARSC 2023 Speakers

Dave Cliff

CEO, Global Road Safety Partnership

Dave Cliff began in his role as the CEO of the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) in April 2017.

The GRSP operates road safety related projects, professional road safety leadership education (in partnership with Johns Hopkins University), advocacy and grants programmes and a large road policing capacity building programme.  GRSP operates in over forty countries globally and is based in Geneva, Switzerland with satellite offices in Malaysia and Hungary.

Dave was previously the Assistant Commissioner: Road Policing for New Zealand and had a range of criminal investigation, general duties and road policing roles.

Dave was appointment an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 2012 Royal Honours for leading the police response to the Christchurch earthquakes and other policing initiatives as the Canterbury District Commander and received a second Royal Honour in 2013 as a Member of the Order of St John (MStJ).

Abstract

Building capacity for road policing

‘The Global Plan – Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021 to 2023’, provides a series of detailed ‘recommended actions’ that are required to achieve the global target of halving road crash deaths and injuries by 2030. Several actions relate to the need for effectively conducted road policing, yet understanding of what works and what doesn’t work within policing agencies themselves is often limited.

This presentation will explore some of the key challenges encountered when implementing successful road policing programmes. The work of the Global Road Safety Partnership to develop the capacity of police will be explained and some of the recurring problems that arise when implementing road policing will be discussed along with opportunities for these to be overcome.

Professor Jan Theeuwes

Professor of Cognitive Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Jan Theeuwes (PhD 1992, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) worked at the TNO Human Factors Institute in the traffic behavior group conducting human factors research for various national and international government agencies, and automotive companies. In 1999 he became a full professor at the VU Amsterdam, where he built a new research group. He developed a new approach to road design known as “Self-Explaining Roads”, indicating that roads should be designed in such a way that road users immediately know how to behave and what to expect on these roads (Theeuwes & Godthelp, 1995). This notion became the leading principle in road design worldwide. He was one of the authors of a book called “Designing Safe Road Systems” (Theeuwes et al., 2012), which is used as a handbook at many DOTs worldwide. Jan Theeuwes has been a principal advisor to the Dutch Department of Transportation (DOT/RWS) on road design issues. In 2010 he was elected member of the Royal Dutch Academy of Science (KNAW). He received two European Research Council (ERC) advanced grants of 2.5 million euro each (2012-2019). His basic and applied research has had a large impact on the research community (H-index 91; > 38000 citations).

Abstract

Designing safe road systems: A human factors perspective.

Since its publication in 1995, Self-Explaining Roads (SER) has become one of the leading principles in road design worldwide. The underlying notion is that roads should be predictable and designed in such a way that road users immediately know how to behave and what to expect on these roads. In other words, the road environment should match the road users’ expectations triggering safer behavior, adequate speed choice, adequate maneuvers, and optimal interactions with other users. In the current talk, I will discuss the theoretical basis for the idea of SER and explain why it is crucial to design roads that fit expectations of the road users. I will highlight some recent developments and successful implementations worldwide. I will also discuss a recently developed tool that can be used to efficiently and effectively gauge the impact of various road design features in large population samples.

Chris Koniditsiotis

Advisor and Consultant

Chris is an advisor and consultant with 37+ years of experience in the broad industry sector of infrastructure, transport and digital transformation.   Chris’ expertise lies in implementing public policy and private sector initiatives into sustainable operational practices.

Chris has a solid technical foundation and a spirit of stakeholder engagement in an increasingly complex public/private sector environment that necessitates integrated and seamless solutions to implementation.  Since mid-2021, Chris has been responsible for implementing a series of Austroads national safety initiatives.  Before entering the consultancy world, Chris held several corporate positions, including Chief Executive Officer of Transport Certification Australia and Project Director for a large-scale World Bank project.

Chris holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees, has undertaken senior leadership and management programs, is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has held several board directorships, and is the current President of the International Society for Weigh-in-Motion.

Abstract

Implementation – from inception to operations

Implementing public policy into operationally sustainable practice is a unique project management process.  The presentation will explore four dimensions of an implementation project: what is truly the problem, the role or otherwise of technology, the acceptable operational settings and the sustainable business case environment.  In this presentation, Chris will illustrate these four dimensions and the implementation project management journey via specific Australian national projects, including recent Austroads safety initiatives, including:

  • National Harmonisation of Temporary Traffic Management Practice,
  • Austroads Innovative Temporary Traffic Management Device and Solution Assessment (AITDSA) Scheme, and
  • Austroads Safety Hardware Training and Accreditation Scheme (ASHTAS)

Liz Waller

Head of Road Safety with Transurban

Liz Waller is Head of Road Safety with Transurban, one of the world’s largest toll-road operators with roads in Australia, the USA and Canada.  Liz leads a specialist team that works across the group to embed the safe system approach in designing and building new roads, operating and maintaining assets, and developing and communicating driver behaviour change programs. Liz works closely with research institutes on improving safety for vehicle occupants, including children, and new vehicle and road safety technologies. Before joining Transurban, Liz spent almost 10 years with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) as Manager, Road Safety Strategy and Programs. Previously she spent four years with VicRoads road safety division. Before her road safety career, Liz worked in general management roles in technology starts-ups and management consulting. Liz is an Executive Council Committee Member for the Australasian College of Road Safety and a member of the US Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) Committee on Vehicle User Education, Training, and Licensing.

Abstract

Why should industry care?

We all have a role to play in reducing road trauma, and industry participation is crucial to achieving this goal. Every risk we reduce (or remove) from our roads contributes to ensuring safer journeys for everyone. This presentation will share the journey of one industry leader and focus on their efforts to build road safety capability and capacity across the industry.

Austroads Plenary Session

Austroads: Picking up the Pace

This plenary session will showcase eleven recent examples of successful road safety activities implemented by road and transport authorities across Australia and New Zealand. The session will involve presenters from across the Austroads membership and will be moderated by Austroads’ Program Manager Road Safety & Design, Michael Nieuwesteeg.

 

Moderator:

Michael Nieuwesteeg, Program Manager Road Safety & Design, Austroads

Speakers:

Nicole Middleton, Unit Manager, Road Safety Policy, Department for Infrastructure and Transport, South Australia

Anna Bray-Sharpin, Principal Advisor – Speed, Infrastructure and Urban Mobility, Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Administration)

Melony Czajor, A/g Assistant Secretary – Targeted Infrastructure Programs, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Australia

David Moyses, Manager Road Safety, Main Roads Western Australia

Terri-Anne Pettet, Manager Road Safety, Western Australian Local Government Association

Belinda Owen, Director, Road Safety and Active Travel, Transport Canberra and City Services, Australian Capital Territory

Kate McDougall, Traffic Coordinator, Eurobodalla Shire Council, New South Wales

Yasmin Maskiell, Manager Policy and Projects, Department of State Growth, Tasmania

Chris Jones, Manager Safer Roads and Speed, Department of Transport and Planning, Victoria

Bernard Carlon, Chief, Centres for Road Safety & Maritime Safety, Transport for New South Wales

Pantelitsa Rigas, A/Manager – Road Safety, Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Northern Territory

Nicole Downing, A/Executive Director, Policy, Safety and Regulation, Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland

Professor (Em) Ann Williamson

Emeritus Professor, The University of New South Wales

Ann Williamson is Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales Sydney.  Up to the end of 2018 she was Director of the Transport and Road Safety (TARS) Research Centre, and Professor of Aviation Safety at the University of New South Wales.  Ann has a track record spanning over 35 years of research and publication on human factors and injury especially in the areas of transportation and workplace safety.  She has been an invited technical expert on advisory committees for a wide range of transport, road and workplace safety authorities especially relating to issues of fatigue and hours of service. Ann is a Fellow and is currently President of the Australasian College of Road Safety.

Abstract

Building capacity for road safety professionals

The vision of zero fatalities and life changing injuries won’t happen by itself – we need to grow road safety capacity and knowledge across the industry. To be effective our road safety efforts must bring together expertise from multiple disciplines, such as engineering, behavioural and social science, but this is too often overlooked. The ACRS, with its multidisciplinary and collegial focus, can play an important role in helping this occur. This presentation will outline a proposed way forward in bringing together a body of knowledge for road safety on which a professional development and capacity building framework can be based. This presentation will also share examples of successful capacity building initiatives.

Supporting Safe Road Use & Driver Licensure Among First Nations Peoples

Due to continuing complex impacts of colonisation, First Nations peoples are six times more likely to be involved in a road crash, almost three times more likely to be in a fatal crash, and 1.4 times more likely to suffer serious injury. Contributing factors include higher rates of rural-remote residence, older vehicles, passenger overcrowding, lack of seatbelt use, alcohol use, and unlicensed driving. Unlicensed driving means exposure to road safety education and driving experience gained in low-risk environments provided by the graduated licensing system is foregone, setting up early vulnerability to road trauma and a future of potential high risk behaviours. Culturally appropriate education programs and other initiatives to support road safety in communities are important in reducing this over-representation of First Nations people in road trauma.

Presenters in this session represent management of Queensland initiatives that address road safety for First Nations Peoples, especially young people. Presenters and their guest end-users will share their insights and lived experiences working together to enhance safe mobility for all. The presentations will be followed by a performance of Back on Track, a road safety play by the JUTE Theatre Company.

 

Chair:

Dr Gina Masterton, Queensland University of Technology Indigenous Australian Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Presenters:

Caitlin Rofe, Indigenous Driver Licensing Unit, Queensland Transport and Main Roads

Matthew Slatcher, Department of Transport and Main Roads

Steven Page, FOGS / ARTIE Academy (Former Origin Greats / Achieving Results Through Indigenous Education)

Monica Stevens, JUTE Theatre Company

Joanna Robinson

Joanna Robinson

A/General Manager (Land Transport Safety and Regulation)
Customer Services, Safety and Regulation Division
Department of Transport and Main Roads

Joanna Robinson boasts an impressive 25-year tenure with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, with a strong focus on road safety, network operations, and intelligent transport systems. Currently serving as the Acting General Manager of the Land Transport Safety and Regulation Branch, Joanna assumes responsibility for crucial areas like road and rail safety, heavy vehicle operations, policy formulation, prosecutions services, and accreditation, registration, licensing, and access policies.

Her adept leadership skills drive the Land Transport Safety and Regulation Branch towards the achievement of Government priorities, all while ensuring exceptional client service delivery. Joanna’s collaborative approach with both internal and external stakeholders underscores her commitment to high-level leadership.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Joanna is deeply passionate about road safety. Recognising the significance of education, training and well-thought through policy and legislation concerning road and rail safety, registration and licensing, as well as adherence to road rules, she actively works to enhance the safety and well-being of Queensland residents on our roads.

Soames Job

Dr Soames Job

CEO and Principal, Global Road Safety Solutions Pty. Ltd.

Dr Soames Job is CEO and Principal of Global Road Safety Solutions Pty. Ltd. Soames has over 40 years of experience in road safety, having successfully headed government lead organisations in road safety, been a Professor in Road Safety, and consulted for many development banks, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the International Standards Organisation (ISO), and the OECD, and has provided road safety guidance to governments departments and political leaders in over 100 countries and states.

Experience in Road Safety includes:

  • Global Lead for Road Safety, World Bank
  • Head of the Global Road Safety Facility
  • Executive Director, National Road Safety Council of Australia
  • Executive Director, New South Wales Centre for Road Safety
  • Fellow and National President, Australasian College of Road Safety
  • Adjunct Professor in Road Safety, University of New South Wales
  • Chair, National Road Safety Executive Group
  • Deputy Chairman of ANCAP (Australian New Car Assessment Program)
  • Board member for various road safety organizations
  • Director of the Health & Safety Psychology Research Unit, University of Sydney.

Mainly as member of a team, Soames has won 25 national and international awards in road safety and research, including 5 Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards. Soames was first listed in Who’s Who in the World in 1997, and has over 500 scientific publications.

Rob McInerney

Rob McInerney

Chief Executive Officer, International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP)

Rob McInerney is the Chief Executive Officer for the international Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), a registered charity with the vision for a world free of high-risk roads.  With RAP projects and programmes now active in over 120 countries worldwide, Rob works closely with key development bank, political and technical leaders from each country to build local capacity and deliver large scale and long-term road safety benefits through the provision of safer road infrastructure as part of their own RAP programmes. Over US$100 billion of investment has now been made safer through these iRAP partnerships globally.

Rob was awarded the “Alex Award” for Road Safety in 2022, ITE Transport Profession Award in 2022, IRF Global Road Safety Award in 2017, Fellowship of the Australasian College of Road Safety in 2015 and received the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in 2014 and again in 2020 in recognition of the work of iRAP globally. In addition to his current charity work he has career experience in local government, state government, consultancy and innovative research.

Adam Gardiner

Adam Gardiner

Director, Safetek Solutions

Abstract

Roadblocks to Safety: How Red Tape Stifles Innovation

In an era poised for technological advancements in traffic management safety, bureaucratic inertia threatens to halt progress, particularly in the development and deployment of life-saving devices. I will explore the paradox of creating safety technologies that are bogged down by complex and inconsistent regulatory frameworks, drawing from our real-world struggles at Safetek Solutions in launching our ACRS / 3M award winning innovative product, TriSign. I’ll support and advocate for continued national harmonization of regulations, consistent compliance checks, and more agile financial structures to encourage R&D investments, ultimately making a compelling case for streamlining administrative processes in the name of worker & public safety and innovation in our industry.

Christopher Davis

Christopher Davis

Principal, Vision Zero Australia

Chris is the Principal of Vision Zero Australia and, for nearly 30 years, has been an active road safety practitioner. He has previously worked at the Transport Accident Commission as the Safe System Lead, where he developed an action plan to guide the TAC on their Towards Zero strategies for local government. At Mildura Rural City Council, where he worked for 20 years, Chris successfully led the development and implementation of Mildura’s speed strategy, including a shift of all residential streets from 50 to 40km/h, and the CBD to an Area 30 km/h speed limit. It was also at Mildura Council that Chris developed an innovative, low-cost roundabout that features consistent, safe system entry speeds of below 20km/h. In 2020, the roundabout was awarded the 3M ACRS Diamond Road Safety Award. Chris’ experience and recent engagement activities afford him a unique insight into local government and Australia’s Vision Zero endeavours.

Abstract

Innovative Intersection to Save Lives

Two Low-Cost Implanted Compact Roundabouts (LCICR) have been constructed in Mildura using Safe System Principles within their design. However, LCICRs do not utilise a traditional roundabout’s entry curve radius to control speed and crash deflection. Instead, carefully placed speed cushions within the intersection’s approach lanes serve as the primary speed reduction treatment. The data shows a 99.9th percentile entry speed of 26.99km/h, which is within Safe System tolerances for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. In 2017, the roundabout was constructed in just five days and cost $37,500. The project received the 3M ACRS Diamond Road Safety Award 2020.

Bernard Carlon

Bernard Carlon is currently the Chief, Centre’s for Road Safety and Maritime Safety. Bernard joined Transport for NSW in 2012 as the Director, Strategy and Policy and has led the Centre for Road Safety since 2015 and Maritime Safety since 2016. He is also member of the Austroads Safety Taskforce, the National Level Crossing Committee. Bernard has previously worked in Health, Police and Environment sectors at the executive level in policy, communications, program delivery and regulation.

JUTE Theatre Company Play - Back on Track by Isaac Drandic

JUTE Theatre Company Play – Back on Track by Isaac Drandic

JUTE Theatre Company initiated the ‘Dare to Dream’ program with the intention of featuring new theatre works by, about and for First Nations peoples. The Back on Track play and residency program is road safety themed, spreading strategic road safety messages in regional and remote, predominantly First Nations, communities. JUTE commissioned a First Nations playwright, Isaac Drandic, to write the play. For each tour, JUTE’s First Nations Creative producer assembles a team of First Nations creatives to rehearse and produce the play and theatre-based residency program.  During the tour, the team stays in each community for a week. After the initial school performance of the play, they work with a group of students for four days to instill confidence and other new skills and create their own road safety themed stories. The students then get to perform their own version of Dare to Dream: Back on Track at the end of the week back to their peers and community. Where possible, the Dare to Dream cast also performs a second show in community for the general public.

Synopsis of play

Eric is a 10-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a dare – devil motor-cross champion just like his hero, Chad Reed. Eric lives with his grandmother (nan), who has laid down the law about motorbikes and road safety. Nan insists Eric wear a crash helmet and he is not allowed to practice with other kids. Eric wonders how is ever going to be a champion with such tough rules. Nan has good reason to be cautious; both Eric’s parents died a few years back in a car crash when someone threw a rock at their moving car. Eric alone survived the crash because he was wearing a seat belt. One night Eric’s cousin Dennis tempts him to sneak out and ride the practice tracks…without his helmet. How off-track can he go? Between playing it safe and taking risks, Eric has to find a way of making his dream come true; which means getting back on track and listening to his own instinct – and his nan.

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