Project Descriptions Behavior Change in the Road User and Health Promotion Fields: What Works and Why Sponsor: Northport Associates Northport Associates has undertaken an independent review of the most current findings in the international literature and program experience related to effective behaviour change in road safety and health promotion. The findings of this study have been used to develop state-of-the-art seminars and have been documented in the book Changing Road User Behaviour: What Works and What Doesn't. This information is available to research institutions, governments and public agencies whose mandate is the positive influence of self-protective behaviours. To order Road Safety as a Social Construct Client: Transport Canada The purpose of this study was to develop a framework to aid the understanding of road safety as a complex construct interrelated to other key constructs in a complex, highly motorized society. An extensive literature review, and a consultative process to gather expert views and determine partner and stakeholder interests were undertaken. The roles of and reciprocal linkages with technical, health-related, and socio-economic fields and disciplines in Canada and internationally were examined to identify alternative constructs or paradigms through which road safety could be better understood and more effectively acted upon. This study yielded a comprehensive road safety construct intended to facilitate wider, more effective participation and improve the position of road safety on the strategic agendas of Canada's public and private sectors. The Roles of Legislation, Education and Reinforcement in Changing Road User Behaviour Client: Ontario Ministry of Transportation A far-reaching and in-depth review and assessment of the theoretical understanding and practical program experiences with behaviour change in the fields of road safety, health promotion, injury prevention, energy and environmental conservation were carried out to assist the Ministry with the establishment of directions for present and future policy, and program decisions related to effective road user interventions. The broad categories of legislation and regulation, enforcement, reinforcement, and education were examined extensively as were impacts on all types of road users. Driver Improvement: State of Knowledge and Trends Client: Transport Canada and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) This study was sponsored by Transport Canada and two CCMTA members– the Société d'Assurance d'Automobile de Québec and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. An in-depth review of relevant literature, a current practices survey of 16 U.S. states, and the development of a comprehensive system and program model for the renewal of driver improvement in Canada were included. Training to Improve the Decision Making of Young Novice Drivers Client: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation; Prime Contractor--Electronic Learning Facilitators Inc. A multi-year research and development study was undertaken by NHTSA to determine the most effective ways to influence young novice drivers' decision making and perceptual skills. An instructional model was developed to assist young novice drivers improve these abilities. Northport Associates was one of two subcontractors and the only Canadian company on the project team, and was responsible for the first phase of the study. This involved a comprehensive literature and expert review of the adolescent development, decision making and novice driver fields. The findings then guided the direction of the subsequent computer-based instruction development phases of the project. Northport also served as research advisors and content experts in the later phases. To order Novice Driver Education Model Curriculum Outline Client: American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety The first in-depth revision of the Driver Education curriculum in North America in 25 years resulted from this project. An extensive literature review, in addition to interviews with driver educators, state and provincial education officials, and international experts, and an in-depth review of the 'model curriculum' by North American experts was undertaken. This led to a comprehensive curriculum outline that reflected the most current understanding of the potential for positive influence of novice drivers as they experience their first driving experiences. The Driving Schools Association of Ontario (DSAO) awarded the “Gord O'Hearn Memorial Award” to the sponsors of this project for outstanding contributions to furthering the aims of driver education. To order Longitudinal Analysis of Manitoba Public Insurance Driver Education Program Client: Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) Corporation An evaluation-driven assessment of driver education effectiveness was conducted for MPI. The project involved a longitudinal study of the driving records of young, novice drivers, supported by cross-sectional survey data gathered from driver education program graduates, other new drivers, parents and the general public. The report recommended specific program improvements. Approved New Driver Training: New Driver Improvement Program, Approved New Driver Training Part 1: Curriculum Review and Part 2: Curriculum Model Client: Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Province of British Columbia A driver training curriculum model was developed for regulating course approval in the province. It was supported by a review of the driver training and education literature, driver task, risk taking, and novice driver knowledge and skills literature. The project also included in-depth consultations by phone and in person with the British Columbia driver training industry, regulatory staff, and other key interest groups to ensure that their needs and concerns were considered as the curriculum was being developed. Several jurisdictions were also contacted and DE curricula and regulatory standards obtained in order to understand the full range of approaches to a model curriculum and possible curriculum standards. Recommended Model for Approved New Driver Training Component Administration Client: Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Province of British Columbia This study was a follow up to the review and regulatory model development project. A practical model for initial approval of applicant training courses, ongoing monitoring of standards compliance, and sanction processes for compliance failures was developed through examination of relevant existing administration methods in other jurisdictions, consulting with stakeholders in the industry and other public and private interest groups, and analyzing policy outcomes for alternative delivery agents, among government, industry, and third party partners. The report included a detailed program model and implementation plan. Northport also conducted a one-day training and planning workshop on the regulatory model for policy and operational staff. Review of Effectiveness of Driver Training and Licensing Programs in Reducing Road Crashes Client: Fondation MAIF; Prime Contractor- Human Factors North A comprehensive review of the effectiveness of driver training and licensing was undertaken for a French insurance company. Northport Associates was subcontracted to conduct the state-of-the-art review of novice driver education programs and advanced driver training programs. Review of Alberta Motor Association (AMA) Strategy 7 Draft Report Client: Alberta Motor Association Critical review and advice was provided to the AMA on a comprehensive road safety strategy, including individual and organizational behaviour change perspectives, and on government-private relations and partnership development. Driver Education Curriculum Development Client: Top Driver Inc. (now DriveOne) A multi-media based curriculum design, directed to both novice drivers and experienced drivers was developed for this major private driving school operator. Northport provided staff support and direction to a large team of instructional designers, writers, and multi-media designers engaged in curriculum development. Awareness of Risk and Self Restricted Driving in Older Drivers Client: Ontario Ministry of Transportation This research project was conducted to provide an understanding of the perceptions of older drivers' own awareness of age-related driving limitations, and to develop a self-assessment instrument to provide input into the Ministry's understanding of the needs and abilities of older drivers and their implications for policy and program decisions. A detailed literature review of self-assessment tools, older driver limitations, and compensatory behaviour was undertaken and focus groups were conducted with older Ontario drivers prior to the development of the self-report instrument. Development of Safety Incentive Programs for Local Delivery Truck Drivers Sponsor: Northport Associates As part of its ongoing interest in safety incentives for industry, Northport developed a custom incentive program for local delivery truck drivers that was implemented and evaluated by a large American trucking company. The program was found to be effective in reducing accidents by about 50% in the first year of operations. Driver Education Content Review Client: Sierra On-Line Northport was contracted to review a proprietary CD-ROM based driver education product and provide input into the production of a Canadian version. A review of all the provincial driver handbooks was undertaken to ensure content accuracy. Adolescent Smoking Uptake and Advertising Client: Irving Mitchell and Associates Northport was subcontracted to identify and review the international literature on the impact of advertising on adolescent uptake of tobacco smoking. An Educational Module on Fuel Efficient Driving Client: Natural Resources Canada and the Traffic and Injury Research Foundation; Prime Contractor- Storgaard & Associates Northport Associates was a subcontractor on this project to provide driver education and target group (young novice drivers) expertise. The project's mandate was to develop a national education module on fuel efficient driving for use with new drivers, principally 15-17 year olds in driver education and/or training programs. The module was being developed as a self-contained package, and included video and interactive computer presentations, print resource materials and instructions for delivery agents (teachers and instructors). YMCA Facility Expansion Project: Information Gathering Phase Client: Cobourg Family YMCA Northport conducted a needs analysis and assessment survey for the Y to determine membership needs and appropriate responses in the context of an upcoming facility expansion. A representative telephone survey of the membership provided data on current and future needs and priorities for the expansion, as well as assessment data on the current facilities and services. Data analysis and results preparation were followed by recommendations on the implications of the findings for the facility expansion and service modifications. This information was used by the Board to aid service and expansion decisions. Investigation of YMCA Ownership Client: Cobourg Family YMCA A facility ownership assessment project was also undertaken for the Y to investigate the history of the ownership of the Y building by the Town of Cobourg, identify key issues related to ownership, and outline options related to changing the ownership status of the Y. The project consisted of fact finding, the collection of comparative data obtained from several similar Y's across Canada, and in-depth interviews of several CEOs across the country. The results were compiled and formulated into a set of action recommendations with respect to ownership options for the Y. Survey of Commercial Publishers for Commercialization of Highway Manuals Client: Ontario Ministry of Transportation; Prime Contractor--CSI/Coastal Services This project undertook to assess the interest and capability of commercial publishers, as a subcontract for a CSI project regarding commercialization of highway technical manuals, for a provincial highway ministry. Issues of partnership, licensing, and other forms of strategic alliance between public and private sector enterprises were addressed.