MUARC-MUM GEMS Thematic Cluster on Road Safety
Thematic Unity: The three projects (see below) have a shared focus on road safety, mobility, and public health regarding vulnerable groups—e-hailing food delivery riders, older motorcyclists, and ambulance drivers. Each project addresses interconnected contextual challenges. Project 1 investigates occupational hazards e-hailing motorcyclists face and the industry's rapid expansion and associated road safety risks. Project 2 complements this by examining safe mobility among ageing motorcyclists. It will explore the broader implications of mobility decisions on sustainability and community well-being. Project 3 explores ambulance emergency responses, highlighting the role of drivers and stakeholders in ensuring effective and safe emergency services.
Impact: Collectively, these projects aim to impact road safety policies, inform interventions, and enhance transportation safety in Malaysia and Australia. Industry engagement will multiply this potential impact by bringing practical insights, resources, and collaboration opportunities. Furthermore, industry involvement will ensure relevance and facilitate the implementation of evidence-based solutions.
The three projects promote sustainable, community-driven safety initiatives, benefiting riders, healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public.
Project 1 (ONLY for Malaysian)
Prevalence of Injuries Among e-Hailing Motorcyclists: GrabFood and FoodPanda Riders in Selangor District
The rapid growth of the food delivery industry has led to a surge in e-hailing food riders such as Grab and Panda Food riders, particularly in urban areas (e.g., Selangor). These riders play a crucial role in ensuring the swift delivery of meals, often navigating through congested roads and unpredictable traffic conditions. However, this fast-paced environment exposes them to considerable risks, including road hazards, intense time pressures, and adverse weather conditions—factors that can contribute to reckless or dangerous riding. Recently, growing concerns have been raised about the rising number of crashes involving e-hailing food riders in Selangor.
Similarly, in Australia, food delivery riders face serious occupational hazards, with the National Road Safety Strategy 2021–30 emphasising the need to improve safety for gig economy delivery workers (Infrastructure & Transport Ministers, 2021). For example, a recent study by Oviedo-Trespalacios et al. (2022) revealed that risky behaviours such as using handheld devices, riding in incorrect lanes, and running red lights are relatively common among Australian food delivery riders.
This study aims:
1) To examine the prevalence of e-hailing motorcyclist injuries and identify contributing factors such as road conditions, rider fatigue, traffic violations, and enforcement of safety regulations in the Selangor District.
2) Compare these findings with data from Australia to assess similarities and differences in risks and regulatory approaches.
Significance of the study
This research will provide valuable insights for policymakers, e-hailing companies, and the public to enhance road safety measures and reduce fatalities among food delivery riders. By comparing data from Selangor and Australia, the study aims to inform evidence-based interventions that improve rider safety in both regions.
Main Supervisor (Malaysia): Associate Professor Quek Kia Fatt
Associate Supervisor (Malaysia): Dr Susi Susilawati
Associate Supervisor (Australia): Associate Professor Sjaan Koppel
Project 2 (Not Available)
A Comparative Analysis of Safe Mobility Among Older Motorcyclists in Australia and Malaysia
Project 3
Drive Safe, Save Lives: Organizational Response and Ambulance Drivers’ Experiences in the Changing Landscape of Emergency Ambulance Services
Emergency ambulance services are vital for saving lives, yet challenges such as road safety, accessibility, and crisis management persist. This study examines how public, private, and NGO-operated ambulance providers in Malaysia respond to emergencies, how ambulance drivers experience their work, and the role of stakeholders in shaping emergency medical services. Using a qualitative multiple-case study approach, the research will provide insights into improving ambulance service coordination, driver training, and policy interventions. The findings aim to enhance road safety, reduce ambulance-related risks, and optimize emergency response strategies, benefiting both emergency responders and the communities they serve.
Main Supervisor (Malaysia): Professor Teh Pei Lee
Associate Supervisor (Malaysia): Dr Keiko Ng Su-Ann
Associate Supervisor (Australia): Professor Jennifer Oxley