Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research
Reducing road trauma through world-leading research, innovation and partnerships
Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research
Reducing road trauma through world-leading research, innovation and partnerships
Established in 2019, the Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research (WACRSR) leads innovative research approaches to advance road safety in Western Australia.
Based at The University of Western Australia, WACRSR is a joint initiative of the WA Road Safety Commission and is supported by a Main Roads WA Fellowship.
Working together Towards Zero
WACRSR embraces the vision of a connected road transport future where no one is killed or injured for life. The Centre’s research spans all pillars of the safe system and adopts a systems approach to work across all levels of Government, Industry and community sectors.
A Multi-Disciplinary Team to help make road safers
A core strength of the Centre is understanding human behaviour and road use, with team members spanning psychology, human factors, neuropharmacology, epidemiology and engineering disciplines. Part of the UWA School of Psychological Science, the Centre enjoys strong partnerships with colleagues at one of Australia’s leading psychology departments.
Transformative and translational research
Road safety must be inclusive of all road users of all abilities.
As WA is Australia’s largest state in size, it is critical
as part of WACRSR’s work that advances in road safety reach our regions and
remote communities, not only metropolitan areas. This includes foregrounding the
safety needs of Traditional Owners and Custodians travelling on Country.
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 27 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.
Other Collaborators
International partnerships
WACRSR 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.
Through a partnership between UWA and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMP) Ho Chi Minh City, the UMP Faculty of Public Health will work with the Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research 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.
