Technology heightens road safety, cuts fuel costs

Road safety researchers are developing in-vehicle technology that aims to cut petrol costs and improve driver safety.

QUT’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) has designed a prototype device which provides real-time advice and feedback.

The interface, which was developed by Atiyeh Vaezipour as part of her PhD project, will be tested by Brisbane drivers in the CARRS-Q simulator. The scheduled testing phase will involve volunteer licensed drivers getting behind the wheel of the CARRS-Q simulator at Kelvin Grove and undertaking a number of simulated driving tasks lasting 10–12 minutes in duration.

“The drive will be recorded and special sensors will monitor acceleration and braking performance,” said Vaezipour.

“During the different driving scenarios drivers will be asked to use the device, which provides real-time individual advice and feedback to improve safety and reduce fuel consumption.

“Participants will then be asked to answer a short anonymous survey to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness and driver acceptance of the system, as well as any distractive qualities.

“Eco-driving has been demonstrated to be a cost-effective approach to reducing fuel consumption by as much as 10–25%.”

Vaezipour said her goal is to reduce road trauma, fuel emissions and petrol consumption with a single device.

“Our ever-increasing reliance on motor vehicles results in more vehicles on the road, which increases pollution and road crashes and has a serious impact on our health and environment,” she said.

The CARRS-Q prototype is made up of an LCD screen fitted within a 3D-printed casing and the technology to provide real-time data to the driver.

Image courtesy of QUT Media