Craig Caulfield

Spatial and temporal visualisation techniques for crash analysis.

Understanding the underlying structure of single vehicle crashes (SVCs) is essential for improving safety on the roads. Past research has found that SVCs tend to cluster both spatially and temporally. However, limited research has been conducted to investigate the interaction between the location of SVCs and the time they occur, especially at different levels of scales or spatial extents. This paper applied spatial, temporal and spatio-temporal techniques to investigate patterns of SVCs in Western Australia between 1999 and 2008, at different levels of scale. Spider graphs were adapted to identify temporal patterns of vehicle crashes at two different levels of scales: daily and weekly with respect to their causes. The spatial structures of vehicle crashes were analysed using Kernel Density Estimation analysis at three different scales: West Australia, Metropolitan area, and Perth Local Government Area (LGA). These are illustrated using spatial zooming theory. Comap was then used to demonstrate the spatio-temporal interaction effect on vehicle crashes. The results show significant differences in spatio-temporal patterns of SVCs for various crash causes. The techniques used here have the potential to help decision makers in developing effective road safety strategies.

A case for systems thinking and system dynamics

Systems thinking is a way of thinking that focuses on the relationships between the parts forming a purposeful whole. System dynamics is concerned with building computer models of complex problem situations and then experimenting with and studying the behaviour of these models over time. This paper is a review of systems thinking that considers its unique history and influences, paradigms and methodologies, and presents a case for the system dynamics methodology as the best tool for the most diverse range of problem situations.

Teaching software engineering project management-A novel approach for software engineering programs

In response to real and perceived short-comings in the quality and productivity of software engineering practices and projects, professionally-endorsed graduate and post-graduate curriculum guides have been developed to meet technical developments and evolving industry demands. Each of these curriculum guidelines identifies better software project management skills as critical for all graduating students, but they provide little guidance on how to achieve this. One possible way is to use a serious game — a game designed to teach and educate players about some of the dynamic complexities of the field in a safe and inexpensive environment. This paper presents the results of a qualitative research project that used a simple game of a software project to see if and how games could contribute to better software project management education. Initial results suggest that suitably-designed games are able to teach software engineering and project management concepts at higher-order Bloom taxonomy levels.

Work-integrated learning: linking research and teaching for a win-win situation

This paper establishes a framework for linking research and teaching (LRT) by developing industry-oriented student projects based on work-integrated learning theory (WIL). The major components of the WIL experiences and their relationships are identified. The scope of student projects may vary from a minor assignment project to a medium submission, such as a final year or honours project, to a more complex research undertaking, such as a Master or PhD project. A range of practical examples for linking research and teaching and work-integrated learning (LRT-WIL) are described. This study demonstrates that by synthesising work-integrated learning, research and teaching, a win-win situation is created for students, academics and industry partners.

A survey of a personalised location-based service architecture for property hunting

Context-awareness in location-based service studies has attracted more and more attention. Awareness of a users location and the users themselves has become the centre of these services. This paper discusses a survey conducted for developing a personalised location-based property hunting system (LBSPH), and a personalised LBSPH architecture developed from the survey results. What users wanted in the way of essential property and neighbourhood information, the best way to display the information, and the common use cases of such a location-based service (LBS) were identified from the survey. The LBSPH architecture was designed to reflect these preferences.

Learning Java with Sun SPOTS

Small Programmable Object Technology devices from Sun Microsystems (Sun SPOTs) are small wireless devices that can run Java programs. In the on-going research project described in this paper, Sun SPOTs have been used in conjunction with model-driven software development techniques to develop a tool that can be used to introduce new software developers to object-oriented programming in general and Java in particular in a new and interesting way.

B-Nodes: a new scalable high level abstraction model

This paper proposes a new modeling technique called B-Nodes. B-Nodes represent a new, high-level abstraction that allows technical detail to be controlled using top-down recursive decomposition. This abstraction. is independent of architectural detail and can therefore accommodate rapid changes in technology. The use of recursive decomposition allows B-Nodes to be used not only for entire e-commerce system but also sub-modules within this system. The use of fundamental units allows the performance of heterogeneous technologies to be compared and other units to be derived. Results to date indicate no comparable model exists. Should further work validate this technique the authors recommend its use as a standard technique in information systems analysis and design.