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Safe Future Mobility Research Lab
Delivering real-world impact in transportation systems and road safety through data-driven research and strong collaboration with industry and government
How our research drives transportation safety reform
Our research on advancing road safety, transport systems, and future mobility solutions sits at the intersection of Transportation Engineering, data analytics, and human behaviour to deliver evidence-based solutions for safer and more efficient transport systems. With a strong focus on translating research into practice, we collaborate closely with government and industry partners to ensure our research translates into real-world policy, practice, and measurable safety outcomes.
Our research areas
In partnership with industry and government agencies, we study a diverse range of road and transportation safety issues. We evaluate innovative road safety programs to make road travel safer. Rural speed control strategies, improving the safety of cyclists, motorcycle safety in mountainous areas are among our research topics.
Roadwork safety and traffic management
We develop and evaluate innovative solutions to improve safety at roadwork sites, addressing risks to both workers and road users. Our work includes technology trials, traffic control strategies, and operational improvements, delivered in partnership with transport agencies.
With advanced analytical and modelling capabilities, we conduct statistical modelling of various transport data, including crashes, near misses, travel speeds, traffic surveys, and road user perception and preference surveys. Our research leverages emerging data sources, including connected vehicle data, to enable proactive and network-level safety insights.
Vulnerable road users
We focus on improving mobility and safety outcomes for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists, using naturalistic data, behavioural analysis, and real-world trials. Our work supports the development of targeted interventions and inclusive transport systems.
We leverage advanced simulation platforms, including traffic simulation, high-fidelity driving simulators, and immersive virtual reality environments, to study transport systems and human behaviour. These tools enable the evaluation of traffic operations, road safety interventions, and network performance, supporting data-driven decision-making and optimisation of future mobility systems.
We advance proactive road safety methodologies, including traffic conflict analysis and surrogate safety measures, to identify risks before crashes occur. Our work supports data-driven, preventive safety management approaches across urban and rural networks.
We investigate the safety and operational implications of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) and emerging mobility technologies. Our research focuses on interactions between vehicles, infrastructure, and vulnerable users, enabling safer integration of future transport systems.
Help us make roads safer for all users
A research degree at Deakin is an opportunity to generate new knowledge that leads to better road safety outcomes for all members of society.
Through our research in the Lab, we aim to deliver real-world impact by advancing transportation systems and road safety, working closely with industry and government to create safer, smarter, and more sustainable mobility for all. We are committed to translating cutting-edge research into practical solutions that improve road safety outcomes and drive meaningful change across transportation systems globally.
Director
Our researchers
Our researchers are experts in their fields focused on improving road safety, mobility and transport systems for both urban and rural environments.
Associate Professor Ashim Debnath leads a multidisciplinary research team at the Safe Future Mobility Research Lab. As an expert in road safety, he maintains active engagement with the transportation industry and government agencies. Ashim’s research has been instrumental in shaping many road safety policies and developing national guidelines for Australia.
Dr Sajani Siriwardene manages several major research projects and contributes to delivering impactful transport and road safety research and education. Her research interests include connected vehicle data, roadwork safety, micromobility, microsimulation, and statistical modelling.
Dr Amrit Ghimire undertakes industry-led research on active travel, school zone safety, shared spaces, statistical modelling, and driving simulators. His research integrates road user behaviour with Transportation Engineering.
Dr Amir Sobhani
Collaborators
Associate Professor Zoran Najdovski
Associate Professor Thuong Hoang
Associate Professor Liton Kamruzzaman
PhD students (current and former)
Tharindu Kasun Ranawake Ranawakachchi Kankanamge
Dhanushka Sandaruwan Marukku Kankanamalage Don
Gayathri Aluwala
Sadia Afroza (graduated 2025)
Sajani Siriwardene (graduated 2025)
Amrit Ghimire (graduated 2026)
Featured projects
The Safe Future Mobility lab develops cutting-edge research projects aimed at enhancing road safety, mobility and traffic management, with a focus on real-world applications.
Smart bicycle lights
This multi-disciplinary project was an Australia-first trial using smart bike light technology in collaboration with TAC, See.Sense and iMOVE CRC. Specialising in road safety analysis and evaluation, the team looked at the challenges of transport systems, shared road usage and autonomous and connected vehicles.
Improving worker safety on the M1 Motorway
Motorway maintenance regularly requires work on the road or roadside near traffic, which poses challenges and risks to workers. This project investigated opportunities for innovative ways to use existing technologies and new ways of working to improve roadside worker safety.
Our partnerships
We work closely with industry and government agencies such as the Victorian Department of Transportation and Transport for New South Wales to ensure our research has real-world applications.
