Purpose:

The purpose of this Request for Tender (RfT) is to invite interested parties to apply to carry out a comparative and performance evaluation of Hazard Perception Testing (HPT) programs used throughout Australia and the development of best practice guidance.

The RfT invites you to apply your expertise and experience from similar projects to develop and adopt a methodology framework to evaluate the effectiveness of HPT on road safety.

Background:

HPT is believed to provide a safety benefit for novice drivers; however, the magnitude and nature of this benefit is not adequately understood. This project will assess the various existing HPT being used in Australia by examining the performance, exploring the nature and magnitude of road safety benefits, identifying the features that make it most effective, and providing advice on how HPT should be optimally used within the licensing framework for novice drivers.

Because hazard perception is an important element of road safety, it is thought that HPT could offer the opportunity for road safety gains for all drivers/riders. In 2017, Austroads developed HPT scenarios and produced computer-generated-imaging (CGI) test clips, which are in use in four jurisdictions. Other jurisdictions in Australia use alternative HPT frameworks. The aim is to evaluate outcomes from the different HPT frameworks to inform future development needs and support effective implementation in other jurisdictions.

Objective:

HPT is believed to provide a safety benefit for novice drivers, though the quantum and nature of this benefit is not adequately understood. This project will:

Gather knowledge on existing use of HPTs in the licensing process nationally and internationally, establishing how HPT programs are developed, implemented, and evaluated.

Propose and adopt a methodology to compare and evaluate real world performance and safety effects of past and existing Australian HPTs used for licensing. Establish the nature and magnitude of road safety benefits of HPT.

Map out how to optimise HPT development and implementation to be most effective in predicting novice driver hazard perception skills and identifying risky drivers. Develop guidance for Australia and New Zealand jurisdictions to support effective delivery of HPT for novice drivers.