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Road Safety on Five Continents (RS5C) 2025: A Global Gathering for Safer Roads

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The Road Safety on Five Continents (RS5C) conference, held from 3–5 September 2025, was a resounding success, bringing together a vibrant community of researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals from around the world. Co-organised with the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), the event welcomed 218 delegates from 37 countries, all united by a shared commitment to advancing road safety.

A delegate is welcomed to the conference by members of the University of Leeds team

Dr İbrahim Öztürk, (centre) one of the organising committee for the Conference was on hand to welcome delegates

Our team and collaborators were proud to contribute to the conference with a series of impactful presentations that highlighted the breadth and depth of our research:
The conference featured a rich and engaging programme, including:
  • 3 keynote speeches from leading voices in road safety
  • 6 special sessions on emerging and critical topics
  • 25 parallel sessions with 109 oral presentations
  • 24 poster presentations showcasing innovative research
  • The day before the main event, on 2 September, more than 30 attendees participated in a guided tour of Virtuocity, where they explored our cutting-edge research infrastructure and ongoing projects.
Dr Rafael Goncalves presents from a lecturn infront of a busy room of devegates

Dr Rafael Goncalves presenting his latest work

  • Rafael Goncalves presented “Evidence-accumulation model to predict collision reactions in a conditionally automated vehicle using drivers' gaze”
  • Karl Miller (University of Nottingham) shared insights on “Cultural differences in road user communication”
  • Ruth Madigan led a special session on “Tackling the young driver problem” and shared initial findings from the ENDS project
  • İbrahim Öztürk  presented “Behind the Wheel and Under Observation: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Concerns over Driver Monitoring Systems” from the Hi-Drive project and “Fatal Five: Perceptions of Road Safety among Road Users in West Yorkshire” from the IAA project.
  • Kumsal Ipek Oker (Middle East Technical University) presented “Driving Under Cognitive Load: An Application of Signal Detection Theory to Yielding Behaviour at Zebra Crossings” from the HAROLD project.
  • and Xian Liu introduced a novel approach in “Predicting Crash Frequency via Traffic Conflicts Simulated from a Machine Learning-Based Behaviour Model”.
Four members of the University of Leeds team network with coffee

The Conference also provided networking opportunities (L-R) Dr Chen Peng, Dr Yue Yang, Assoc Prof Yee Mun Lee and Assoc Prof. Ruth Madigan

In addition to presenting research, our team played a vital role behind the scenes, supporting the planning, coordination, and smooth delivery of the event. From managing logistics and liaising with international delegates to providing technical support and guiding the facility tour, their dedication ensured a seamless and welcoming experience for all attendees. The RS5C conference was not only a platform for sharing knowledge but also a catalyst for new collaborations and future research directions. We are grateful to all who participated and contributed to making this event a success. We look forward to continuing the conversation and working together to create safer, smarter, and more inclusive transport systems.

For more information on Virtuocity's contribution to this Conference, or about any of our work please contact our mailbox on [email protected]