Exploring driver behaviour to shape better road-user experiences

Abstract

What if we could submit designs to behavioural and usability testing to learn exactly how the community will interact with a transport corridor? Could we improve end-user experiences and shape better outcomes for our future communities? This paper explores how combining project design data, engineers, behavioural science methodologies, and visualisation technologies helped shape a better experience for end road users on the Bruce Highway Upgrade – Maroochydore Road and Mons Road Interchanges project. The user-centred design approach enabled us to explore in depth with 41 different drivers and 244 test-drives through the interchange. We tested various design scenarios to make sure the final look and feel aligned with a more comfortable, safer experience for drivers/road users. Using these tools, we learned how customers respond to design aspects, how we could improve their experience, and how customers’ experiences impact the road’s safe operation and its maintenance. Delivering long-term benefits for the local community was the project’s central focus. This meant challenging the design to uncover deeper insights into its impacts on drivers. Combining peoplefocussed design principles with visualisation, and behavioural and usability testing, helped us comprehensively understand how the driving community responds to various road design elements, and which ones might be more (or less) effective.