Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research
Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research
The Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research (WACRSR) was established to conduct research into new and innovative approaches to road safety in Western Australia.
The WACRSR is located on the land of the Whadjuk Noongar people at The University of Western Australia. Established in 2019, WACRSR is dedicated entirely to road safety research. It is a joint initiative of the WA Road Safety Commission and is supported by a Main Roads WA Fellowship. Our remit is ‘Working together Towards Zero’.
WACRSR research spans all pillars of the safe system and adopts a systems approach to work across all Government departments, Industry and community sectors. Situated in the School of Psychological Science, the Centre enjoys strong partnerships with colleagues at one of Australia’s leading psychology departments. This furthers the Centre’s strength in understanding human behaviour, with team members spanning psychology, epidemiology, neuropharmacology and engineering disciplines. WACRSR’s research program focuses on transformative and translational research. With WA Australia’s largest state in size, a particular specialty is ensuring advances in road safety reach our regions and remote communities, not only our capital cities and built-up areas.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research at UWA acknowledges that it is situated on Noongar land, and that Noongar people remain the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land, and continue to practise their values, languages, beliefs and knowledge.
We pay our respects to their Elders both past and present.
Newsletter: Heavy Vehicles Edition
In this edition, we explore recent research, policy developments, and industry perspectives shaping heavy vehicle safety in Australia and Western Australia. Featured content includes new evidence on heavy vehicle fatal crash trends, the strengths and limits of fatigue monitoring technology, emerging research on safety culture in WA’s heavy vehicle industry, and a regulatory update on overseas licence recognition. We also share highlights from ARSC 2025, recent Centre activity, and broader road safety updates from across the sector.
WACRSR Annual Report 2025
Read our 2025 annual report featuring our key achievements, research outputs and meet our team!
Newsletter: Speed Edition
As we step into spring, we are pleased to bring you the latest updates and insights from the world of road safety research. This month, our focus turns to speed - one of the most persistent and preventable contributors to road trauma across Western Australia and beyond. We explore emerging data, policy developments, and recent findings from both local and national initiatives, including the WA Safety Camera Trial and research that questions the true value of time saved through speeding.
Simulator Launched on the 27th February 2024
A new hi-tech driving simulator, which can realistically replicate a range of driving conditions, will enable researchers at The University of Western Australia to investigate a range of safety issues with the aim of reducing serious crashes on our roads.
Our Main Funders
Other Collaborators
WACRSR frequently collaborates with local and international research partners to ensure our research is of the highest possible calibre and at the cutting edge of road safety research. An MOU has been signed between The University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (UMP) and The University of Western Australia (UWA). The University of Medicine and Pharmacy is recognized as one of two strategic medical teaching institutions in Vietnam. The university offers the most comprehensive array of training for health professionals from undergraduate to graduate level. The Faculty of Public Health is a part of the UMP. The Faculty will work with the Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, located in the School of Population and Global Health, UWA to develop a satellite road safety centre at UMP. The aim is to develop research capacity in injury and road crashes as well as developing collaborative opportunities in teaching, research and other activities.
Working Together Towards Zero
Research Focus Areas
Current projects
These are the projects that we are currently working on and the projects that were recently completed.
Human Factors
Our human factors/simulation research studies examine how aspects of human behaviour affect road safety, including driver distraction and fatigue.
Simulation
Our simulation labs consist of car and bike simulator and a newly installed advanced driving simulator that will replicate cycling and driving environments.
Main Roads WA
Our work for Main Roads Western Australia focuses on making the roads safer for all Western Australians by undertaking in-depth evaluations of road programs, road design assessments, billboard safety and other road safety issues.
Honours and PhD Projects
These are the projects that our students are working on or have undertaken recently.
