ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some contextual information on the ‘new road safety’ and outlines some potential applications of simulation technology. It describes some work done at the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) to illustrate research applications of simulators. MUARC is involved in a fundamental young driver research programme investigating parameters of driving performance. The potential advent of simulation technology to assist in the countermeasure development process has wide-ranging implications for road safety as a discipline. Rapid advances in simulation technology has meant that high-fidelity simulation technology has the potential to be incorporated into Australian road safety research and development efforts. The identification of necessary and sufficient measures of driving performance is necessary to evaluate training, transfer and retention effects. Evaluation data can only be viewed with confidence if they are based on valid and appropriate performance measures.
