Programmes 

Driver Licensing (Complete)

This research was undertaken to compare the current driver licensing system in New Zealand with that in other comparable jurisdictions around the world. The goal was to identify key differences for consideration by New Zealand authorities as a way of improving the safety of novice New Zealand drivers.

Comparing Serious Injury & Fatal Crashes (Completed)

The AA Research Foundation wants to better understand whether some circumstances and injuries from car crashes are more likely to lead to deaths rather than serious injuries.

Cycling Safety at Urban Intersections (Completed)

The AA Research Foundation and NZ Transport Agency have jointly commissioned research to better understand cyclist-motorist interactions at intersections.

Driver Risk Awareness (Completed)

This research by the AA Research Foundation is examining proven differences between real and perceived driving risks and ways of improving drivers' assessment of risks they under-estimate.

Youth Traffic Offences (Completed)

Research looking into whether traffic offending is a leading pathway into the criminal justice system for young New Zealanders and whether there are more effective penalties for youths' traffic offences.

Driver Impairment (Complete)

The AA Research Programme on driver impairment has included projects on recidivist drink driving and use of alcohol interlocks.

Five-star Ecosafe Drivers (Completed)

The AA Research Foundation’s five-star driver programme investigated methods for improving drivers' fuel-economy and safety.

Inattention, Distraction and Fatigue (Completed)

This programme of research by the AA Research Foundation attempts to understand the scale of the driver inattention problem and find practical solutions.

Seatbelt Use (Completed)

The number of people who are dying or seriously injured who were not wearing a seatbelt is high in New Zealand.

Co-driving (Complete)

Waikato University’s Transport Research Group (TRG), part of their School of Psychology, undertook research on how passengers interact with drivers to assist, or otherwise influence, the driver’s decision-making.

Transport Costs Index (Ongoing)

This project has created an index to track affordability of different modes of transport over time and monitor the cost effects of government policy and other market changes that have an impact on transport costs..

Real World Vehicle Fuel Consumption (Ongoing)

Overseas studies have shown significant differences between manufacturers' fuel consumption claims and real world performance. The AA Research Foundation is funding work to better understand real work fuel efficiency in the New Zealand fleet.

Working from home - costs and benefits (Complete)

Before Covid-19 interceded, the AA Research Foundation started the ball rolling on a project to evaluate the benefits and costs of a day not commuting (i.e working from home).

Using artificial intelligence for surveys (Complete)

Driving for work (Complete)

Research into risks for people who drive for work.

Speed limits (Completed)

The AA Research Foundation commissioned work looking at how much vehicle speeds changed following lower limits being introduced on a number of highways as well as a simulator study of people's driving behaviour on roads with reduced limits.

Electric Vehicles (Complete)

This research was initiated in 2020 to look at opportunities and barriers related to expanding electric vehicle ownership in New Zealand. The AA Research Foundation was one of several organisations that helped to fund the research, which was undertaken by Wellington firm Concept Consulting.

Safety benefits of new roads (Completed)

An analysis of what happened to crash numbers following the building of 8 new stretches of highway in New Zealand.