Programmes
The AA Research Foundation has a number of research programmes focused on different areas of road safety.
Each research programme is overseen by an expert Steering Group made up of people working in the field.
Real World Vehicle Fuel Consumption (Ongoing)
Overseas studies have shown significant differences between manufacturers' fuel consumption claims and real world performance. The AA Research Foundation is funding work to better understand real work fuel efficiency in the New Zealand fleet.
Working from home - costs and benefits (Complete)
Before Covid-19 interceded, the AA Research Foundation started the ball rolling on a project to evaluate the benefits and costs of a day not commuting (i.e working from home).
Driving for work (Complete)
Research into risks for people who drive for work.
Older drivers (Complete)
There is evidence that older drivers are more anxious than average and limit their driving journeys as a result. In an aging population, there is value in gaining a better understanding of actual risks and 'myth-busting' situations where older drivers might be limiting themselves unnecessarily.
Speed limits (Completed)
The AA Research Foundation commissioned work looking at how much vehicle speeds changed following lower limits being introduced on a number of highways as well as a simulator study of people's driving behaviour on roads with reduced limits.
Electric Vehicles (Complete)
This research was initiated in 2020 to look at opportunities and barriers related to expanding electric vehicle ownership in New Zealand. The AA Research Foundation was one of several organisations that helped to fund the research, which was undertaken by Wellington firm Concept Consulting.
Safety benefits of new roads (Completed)
An analysis of what happened to crash numbers following the building of 8 new stretches of highway in New Zealand.