Australia has been the birth place of a multitude of life-changing inventions. For example, (to name just a few) … did you know that the heart pace-maker, refrigeration, the bionic ear, microsurgery, the lawn mower, in vitro fertilization and frozen embryo implantation, contour farming, permanent press fabric and even the "infra-red chicken brooder" all originated in our fine country.
Continuing this innovation excellence, the Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety - Queensland (CARRS-Q) and Queensland University of Technology are set to, once again, turn the light on inventions aimed at reducing the human and economic costs of road trauma.
The Forum is designed to highlight new and proposed inventions in road safety and stimulate innovation to reduce the road toll. Front and side airbags, seat belts, bumper bars, red light cameras and audible warning road paint are all examples of inventions that have revolutionised road safety in Australia.
The Forum will attract inventors to showcase their innovations in such areas as product and vehicle design, civil construction, and driving and signal systems in the areas of transport and road safety.
If you have designed an invention relevant to road safety or know of other individuals or groups who have been involved in creating innovations designed to reduce road-related injuries, please read on.
Forum
Aims
The Forum aims to:
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Showcase potential and successful road safety inventions.
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Generate publicity for inventions which have enhanced safety on Australian roads.
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Encourage interest in innovation in road safety.
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Create a forum in which inventors can obtain constructive advice from experts in road safety, engineering, transport and commercial development to aid their inventionÃs development.
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Attract corporate and community support for innovation in road safety.
It is anticipated that the Forum
will generate networking and collaborative opportunities for inventors.
The Forum
The 2004 Road Safety Inventors Forum was held on Wednesday 5 May 2004 at the Gardens Point Theatre, Brisbane, Australia. The event was part of the Australian Innovation Festival, which ran nationally from 3-16 May.
The Forum showcased a number of other interesting
inventions, including:
- Safezone is a solar-powered road marker that offers safety
to children by flashing while school zones are active. Drivers benefit
by being aware within the entire school zone that they need to slow
down to 40km per hour
- The versatile Bornefree vehicle roof rack system, designed
as an alternative to the current system of rod holders fixed to bull
bars
- Safe Roads rubber crash cushion which protects motorists from
solid roadside hazards, and returning to original form after impact
- therefore decreasing time and costs compared to fixing traditional
road barriers
- A heavy vehicle indicator and warning system designed to provide other motorists with more information when heavy vehicles are turning.
Each of the inventors made a brief presentation at the Forum, followed by feedback from the advisory panel and a question and answer discussion session.
"We are delighted with the interest we received for this year's Forum and we have been very encouraged by the post-event feedback from our inventors and guests," Centre Director Professor Mary Sheehan said.
"Over 70 guests registered to attend the event and the Forum attracted print, radio and television media enquiries. I hope the event will stimulate further innovation in priority areas to reduce the human and economic costs of road trauma," said Professor Sheehan.
An interactive exhibition showcased some of the nominated inventions, with two inventors who participated in the 2002 Forum returning to provide an update on their inventions.
It was of great interest to note the further applications of Absorbo-Liner, a foam technology invented by Don Morgan first shown at the 2002 Forum and initially designed for use in bicycle helmets. He is now developing other uses for the product including in-vehicle applications. While not able to join the Forum in person, Denis McConnell of McConnell Seats Australia organised an exhibit of the 2-3 Educator Seat-belted Seat for Buses with which the company has had considerable success with over $1.28 million worth of sales.
For a copy of the 2004 Inventors Forum Guide, please click here. This Guide provides a full overview of the 2004 Forum, including invention descriptions and Advisory Panel information.
Previous Forums
The Australian Road Safety Inventors Forum is a biennial event and last ran in April 2002. Click here for information on the 2002 Forum, including results and progress of inventions.
For more information, please
contact:
Marketing & Events Officer
Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety - Queensland
Queensland University of Technology
Beams Road
Carseldine Q
4034
Australia
Tel:
+61 7 3138 4568
Fax: +61 7 3138
4640
Email: carrsq@qut.edu.au
Useful
Links
Triton Foundation
www.tritonfoundation.org.au
Inventors Association of Australia - Queensland
Tel: 07 3217 8200
Web: www.uq.net.au/innovation/
Institute of Patent & Trademark Attorneys Australia
Tel: 03 9857 0311
Email: mail@ipta.com.au
Web: www.ipta.com.au
Australian Patent Office
Tel: 02 6283 2211
Web: www.ipaustralia.gov.au
