Emeritus Professor at MAIC-QUT Road Safety Research Collaboration, Australia
Barry Watson is an Emeritus Professor at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) with over 35 years of experience in road safety, traffic psychology, and behavioral science. He has contributed significantly to global and national road safety initiatives through research, policy development, and expert advisory roles. His work encompasses traffic law enforcement, driver education, crash prevention, and public awareness. Barry has served in leadership roles at the Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) and the Global Road Safety Partnership, establishing himself as an influential figure in international road safety research and policy development.
Professional Profile
Scopus | Google Scholar
Education
Barry Watson holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Queensland University of Technology, specializing in road safety and traffic psychology. He earned a Graduate Diploma in Science & Society from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology from the University of Sydney. His academic journey reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation, integrating psychology, traffic safety, and behavioral science. Through his studies and professional practice, Barry developed a deep expertise in understanding driver behavior and implementing research-based interventions to improve road safety across multiple regions globally.
Professional Experience
Barry Watson has held several influential positions, including Professor and Director at CARRS-Q and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Road Safety Partnership. He has served as an Honorary Fellow at the Australasian College of Road Safety and as a member of multiple global advisory committees, including the World Bank’s Global Road Safety Facility. Barry has been instrumental in developing leadership programs, educational frameworks, and traffic safety research. His collaborative efforts with international organizations, government bodies, and academic institutions have advanced evidence-based strategies for reducing road crashes and improving global traffic safety policies.
Research Interest
Barry Watson’s research focuses on traffic psychology, driver behavior, and road safety intervention strategies. His key interests include driver licensing systems, drink-driving prevention, speeding control, aggressive driving, and young driver safety. Barry has led numerous studies on the psychological and behavioral factors influencing road user decision-making and developed frameworks for countermeasure evaluation. He is particularly recognized for advancing the understanding of illegal road-user behaviors and contributing to international projects aimed at reducing crash risks. His work integrates applied research and policy implementation, shaping modern approaches to safer mobility and traffic management.
Awards And Honor
Barry Watson has received numerous prestigious awards for his significant contributions to road safety. These include the ICADTS Borkenstein Award (2019) for international leadership in alcohol and traffic safety and the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award (2018) for advancing higher-degree research programs. He received the West Lake Friendship Award (2013) in China for his contributions to education and research and the ICADTS Widmark Institutional Award (2010) for outstanding institutional achievements. Barry’s Fellowship with the Australasian College of Road Safety further highlights his dedication and influence in improving road safety outcomes worldwide.
Research Skill
Barry Watson demonstrates extensive expertise in experimental design, traffic psychology, behavioral analysis, and data-driven policy evaluation. He has successfully secured over $13.6 million in competitive research grants and commercial consultancies, contributing to impactful projects on driver safety, crash prevention, and transportation risk management. Barry’s skills include developing educational programs, leading international research collaborations, and advising policymakers on evidence-based interventions. His strong ability to translate research findings into actionable strategies has made him a key contributor to national and global road safety frameworks, benefiting both academic institutions and government agencies.
Publications
Barry Watson is an accomplished author with over 300 publications, including 20 book chapters, 133 peer-reviewed journal papers, and numerous conference papers and technical reports. His publications cover a wide spectrum of traffic safety topics, including driver behavior, speeding, mobile phone use, and road safety policy evaluation. With an impressive Google Scholar h-index of 61 and Scopus h-index of 42, his research has had a significant impact globally. His work is widely cited by academics, government agencies, and international organizations, establishing him as a leading authority in traffic psychology and road safety research.
Title: Dialling and driving: Factors influencing intentions to use a mobile phone while driving
Authors: S.P. Walsh, K.M. White, M.K. Hyde, B. Watson
Journal: Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2008
Title: The role of fear appeals in improving driver safety: a review of the effectiveness of fear-arousing (threat) appeals in road safety advertising
Authors: I. Lewis, B. Watson, R. Tay, K.M. White
Journal: International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 2007
Title: The relative impact of work-related stress, life stress and driving environment stress on driving outcomes
Authors: P. Rowden, G. Matthews, B. Watson, H. Biggs
Journal: Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2011
Title: Examining the effectiveness of physical threats in road safety advertising: The role of the third-person effect, gender, and age
Authors: I. Lewis, B. Watson, R. Tay
Journal: Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 2007
Title: Effects of average speed enforcement on speed compliance and crashes: A review of the literature
Authors: D.W. Soole, B.C. Watson, J.J. Fleiter
Journal: Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2013
Conclusion
Barry Watson’s career reflects an exceptional blend of academic leadership, innovative research, and global policy influence in road safety. His work has helped shape evidence-based strategies to reduce road traffic injuries and fatalities, making significant contributions to public safety worldwide. Through his roles as a professor, researcher, advisor, and author, he has advanced the integration of behavioral science into transportation safety policies. Barry’s continued contributions to international collaborations, educational frameworks, and applied research underline his lasting impact on traffic psychology, road safety systems, and mobility management.