Doctoral Student Profile

Dennis de Jong

Supervisors: Sam Charlton, John Perrone

New Zealand roads. For New Zealanders, by New Zealanders
My research is focused on using participatory design to help in the redesigning of roads in order to reduce speeds. Participatory design aims to involve users in the design of artefacts, usually in a work setting. Participatory design is capable of generating innovative solutions in multiple settings and often leads to improved user awareness and behaviour surrounding the process in which they were involved. My research has found that involving drivers in road design through participatory design has the potential to generate roads with decreased estimated speed ratings without negatively affecting drivers’ perception of the road and that involvement in the process has the potential to improve driver behaviour.