Podcast: Behaviour Change in Transport – Conversations with Liz Ampt and Professor David Hensher

Hosted by David Brown

In this two-part episode, we explore the critical but often overlooked question in transport planning: not just what people do, but why they do it. Our guests, Dr Liz Ampt and Professor David Hensher, have each made major contributions to understanding behaviour change and its role in shaping more effective, sustainable, and humane transport systems.

Part 1 – Liz Ampt: Voluntary Behaviour Change

Liz Ampt challenges the top-down nature of many transport programs—like road safety and active travel—that assume experts know best. Instead, she promotes voluntary behaviour change through conversation, empathy, and individual empowerment. Her work shows that real and lasting change comes when people are invited to reflect on their routines, frustrations, and aspirations—and then supported to discover their own practical solutions.

Rather than leading with guilt or grand messaging, Ampt’s team asks deceptively simple but revealing questions like: “When was the last time you were in a car and wished you weren’t?” These moments open up powerful insights—from a mother missing her morning newspaper to a designer tired of finding parking—that lead to small, personal shifts like carpooling, walking, or rethinking routines. The approach, while labour-intensive, is often more effective than traditional marketing.

Ampt’s work began with transport surveys that moved beyond trip data to motivations and emotions. This foundation has guided successful behaviour-change initiatives in other areas too—like reducing water use and phosphorus pollution—using the same core method: respectful, open conversation.

Part 2 – David Hensher: Behavioural Insight and the Future of Mobility

Professor David Hensher, Director of the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies at the University of Sydney, reflects on the foundational role Liz Ampt played in shaping Australian transport research—especially through the landmark 1981 Sydney Household Travel Survey. Her emphasis on understanding why people travel remains vital today, especially as planners navigate new technologies and uncertain futures.

Hensher warns that while AI and big data have value, they often lack the depth and context found in unit record data—detailed, confidential insights collected directly from individuals and households over time. These offer a richer understanding of behaviour and its triggers, especially when tracked longitudinally.

In his current work with ITS Australia, TMR Queensland, and the federal government, Hensher is developing a new survey that explores behavioural change through life events—like health issues, job changes, or family needs—rather than just distance or cost. He stresses that understanding motivations outside the transport silo (e.g. health, well-being, or working from home) is essential for planning meaningful, responsive mobility systems.

Hensher also argues for a shift from static annual surveys to frameworks that embrace uncertainty, test future scenarios, and capture perceptions. He calls for Australia to invest in long-term panel data (like the US labour force survey) to help track how attitudes and behaviours evolve—not just for comparison, but to inform bold, adaptable decisions.

Key Message:

True behavioural insight requires more than counting trips or adjusting fares. It means listening, asking better questions, and helping people arrive at their own solutions—whether in transport, health, or broader community life.

In this episode of Overdrive – Cars, Transport, Culture, David Brown is joined once again by motoring expert Paul Murrell from SeniorDriverAus.com to unpack the latest developments from the world of transport and automotive innovation.

News Highlights:

Autonomous Vehicle Emissions – An MIT study warns that the computing power required for self-driving cars could one day rival the energy consumption of today’s global data centres, unless hardware efficiency dramatically improves.

Light Truck Safety – ANCAP’s first-ever safety assessment of popular light trucks such as the Isuzu N-Series and Hino 300 Series reveals shortcomings in occupant protection and advanced safety features, despite their increasing road presence.

Cupra Tavascan – The Spanish-branded but Chinese-built EV earns four ANCAP stars, falling short in Safety Assist due to the absence of certain European-standard features in the Australian version.

UK Tariff Relief – A new Trump-led tariff cut could revitalise UK car exports, especially for Jaguar Land Rover, just as it prepares for its EV relaunch.

GM Celestiq – A bold move into the Rolls-Royce segment, GM reveals the Celestiq: an ultra-luxury, hand-built electric sedan with 42 speakers, adaptive glass roof, and virtual development tech.

Ferrari’s Electric Future – The iconic Italian marque sets a date for its first EV (October 2026) and patents technology to simulate the sound and feel of petrol-powered cars, aiming to preserve its legacy in a new electric era.

Toyota Tundra Platinum – Toyota adds a luxury twist to its full-size pickup lineup, combining rugged capability with premium features like massaging seats and a JBL sound system.

Discussion Point:

David explores the “Expertise Deficit” in public sector transport planning, highlighting a shift toward generalist management that undervalues deep, domain-specific knowledge—posing risks to effective infrastructure policy and procurement.

Road Test:

We get behind the wheel of the Mazda BT-50, examining its performance, features, and suitability for Australian conditions.

As always, you can find extended versions of our program, visuals, and more content across our platforms—just search for Cars Transport Culture on your favourite podcast app or social media.

First broadcast on 17 May 2025 on 99.3FM and syndicated nationally via the Community Radio Network.

Overdrive: Tesla’s Troubles, Touchscreen Backlash & Royal Recognition

In this episode of Overdrive, David Brown and Paul Murrell unpack a mix of major shifts and motoring curiosities. From plummeting Tesla sales and BYD’s meteoric rise, to Australia's evolving road rules and the debate over touchscreens in modern vehicles—this week covers the latest in transport, design, planning, and culture.

⚡ Tesla’s Decline & BYD’s Boom

Tesla has taken a major hit in Australia with a 75% drop in April sales, influenced by expiring tax perks and consumer uncertainty. Plug-in hybrid sales also dipped to 2.9%. Meanwhile, Chinese EV giant BYD has overtaken Tesla globally. In the US, Tesla is sitting on 10,000 unsold Cybertrucks, raising concerns about demand for the futuristic model before its Australian debut.

📉 The Touchscreen Controversy

Euro NCAP will soon penalise cars that hide basic functions like headlights or air-conditioning behind complex touchscreen menus. From 2026, anything requiring more than two taps will impact safety ratings. Brown and Murrell welcomed the change, arguing that physical dials are more intuitive and safer—citing examples from the Genesis G80 and Lexus models. Australian standards often follow Europe’s lead, so local updates are likely.

🛑 New Road Rules Stir Debate

Recent changes to road laws are drawing mixed responses:

In South Australia, speed limits when passing roadside assistance vehicles have dropped to 25 km/h, compared to 40 km/h in other states.

P1 drivers now face a national curfew from 11 PM to 5 AM and a one-passenger limit unless supervised.

Zero phone tolerance—including hands-free use—can result in $750 fines and 4 demerit points.

Murrell noted the lack of clarity in the 25 km/h rule, particularly on high-speed roads where abrupt slowdowns could be dangerous.

👑 Jaguar Land Rover’s Royal Warrant

JLR has retained Royal Warrants from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, continuing a tradition dating back to 1951. Though now owned by India’s Tata Motors, the brand’s British heritage still holds marketing weight. Murrell highlighted how such endorsements, while largely symbolic, remain powerful branding tools—comparable to historic racing sponsorships.

🏁 Fun with Lego and ‘Unexceptional’ Cars

Lego showcased life-size, drivable Formula 1 cars at the Miami GP, made from over 1.3 tonnes of bricks and 22,000 hours of labour. In the UK, the Festival of the Unexceptional celebrates everyday classics like the Vauxhall Chevette—vehicles remembered not for their glamour but for their place in everyday motoring life. Both stories underline the emotional and cultural connection we have with cars.

🚙 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Review

David Brown tested the Genesis G80 3.5T Sport—an impressive luxury sedan priced at $142,000 driveaway. Featuring a twin-turbo V6, noise-cancelling tech, and thoughtful design, it competes well with European rivals. Genesis stands out for offering premium features without the inflated options list. Murrell pointed out that Australians are growing accustomed to six-figure car prices, and Genesis is positioning itself as a smart alternative.

🛠️ Classic Cars: Restore or Reimagine?

At the St Ives Motor Show, a classic Land Rover fitted with LED lights sparked debate: does modernising classics improve safety or compromise authenticity? Murrell leaned toward safety, especially with today’s traffic conditions, though both agree there’s a balance between preserving history and embracing progress. From LEDs to EV conversions, the fate of vintage vehicles remains a hot topic.

🎧 Listen & Explore More

Overdrive is broadcast nationally via the Community Radio Network. Catch the full episode, road test videos, and extra stories at our website or search "cars transport culture" on your favourite platform.

Host: David Brown

Guest: Paul Murrell (SeniorDriverAus.com)

First Aired: 10 May 2025

Production Support: Genesis Australia, Bruce Potter, Mark Wesley

Is the recent strident opposition to working from home driven by real performance data — or by outdated management egos?

As some organisations begin to reverse their confrontational stance on remote work, the question remains: should we sit back and see what happens, or step up and lead by prioritising staff well-being and evidence-based policy?

In this second interview, Professor David Hensher calls for a broader, more balanced approach to evaluating staff performance — one that focuses on outcomes, not just outputs.

📽️ Catch up on the first interview, recorded a few months ago, which explores the foundational research behind work-from-home strategies:

https://soundcloud.com/drivenmedia/the-impact-of-hybrid-work-on-transport-and-urban-planning-insights-from-professor-david-hensher

Summary:

In this episode of Overdrive, we delve into the evolving world of motoring and mobility—from high-tech pedestrian detection fabrics to nostalgic reflections on motoring larrikins. David Brown and Paul Murrell critique inconsistencies in safety tech, vehicle naming confusion, and the charm of classic cars. We also road test the Mazda CX-30 and examine whether EVs are truly delivering on sustainability promises. Plus, we pay tribute to rally legend Ed Mulligan.

Program Links and Credits

Overdrive is produced by David Brown with assistance from Paul Murrell, Graham Patterson, Bruce Potter, and Mark Wesley.

More info and extended segments available at Cars Transport Culture, or search “Overdrive Radio” on your favourite podcast platform.

First broadcast: 19 April 2025

Syndicated across Australia via the Community Radio Network.

MG Response

A listener wondered if his car had been upgraded with the latest software when he found the very performance disappointing. The response from MG is as follows

The background to car badges

If ever we needed proof that all is not always as it seems, the Porsche badge is a perfect example.

While it looks like it’s been around forever, that’s far from the case.

Porsche is, of course, named after Ferry Porsche, the son of Ferdinand Porsche and designer of the Auto-union racers and the Kraft durche Freude people’s car (or Volkswagen).

But the badge was designed in response to a request from American Porsche importer, Max Hoffmann who thought sporting cars needed a badge worthy of their stature.

First appearing in 1953, the shield features the curving stag horns and colours of Baden-Württemburg while the centrepiece is the crest of the city of Stuttgart.

The rampant horse (reminiscent of the Ferrari badge) comes from origins in the Middle Ages – Stuttgart was a stud farm on the banks of the River Neckar.

Road Test - Tucson N-Line hybrid

A medium SUV that is quite a complete package.

Contacts Details

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

Or our social pages

Facebook

Cars Transport Culture

Instagram

Cars Transport Culture

Or YouTube site

Cars Transport Culture

Search for Cars transport culture

Credits

And this has been overdrive

Thanks to

Mark Wesley

Bruce Potter

for their help with this program.

You can get more of our work including longer versions of the program on our website, through our podcasts, or more visual information on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. In all cases search for cars transport culture.

Overdrive is syndicated across Australia on the Community Radio Network

This program was first broadcast on

I’m David Brown

Thanks for listening

G’Day and welcome to Overdrive, a program that practices what it preaches, most of the time, on the subject of cars and transport.

I’m David Brown

For more information go to our website, podcast, or social media – just search for Cars, Transport, Culture.

Once again, I am joined by the tireless Paul Murrell from seniordriveraus.com

Recalls in America covering some 35 million vehicles

First-ever redesign of Genesis GV60 makes Korean debut

Some of the thoughts that came out of a chat with Justin Douglas who is head of Genesis in Australia

Genesis is Hyundai’s Lexus

Sales volumes aren’t high, but orders are starting to look good

They only have five dealers

Servicing can be done by Hyundai Dealers

No haggle pricing

Everything Electric Show coming up

Audi, BMW, BYD, Cadillac, Cupra, Deepal, GWM, Jeep, Kia, Leapmotor, Mini, MG, Peugeot, Polestar, Renault, Skoda, Tesla, Volkswagen, XPeng and Zeekr.

No Hyundai nor Toyota

Stuart Sharp Railway history and a critical item for facilitating travel (public toilets)

I have always seen the provision of public toilets as a key issue of mobility. Particularly for women.

The reason for charging money is usually for the maintenance of the equipment. In NSW it was to limit the riff raff

Paying to use a toilet can be traced back almost 2000 years

As this is the anniversary from 1973 of legislation being passed to remove the charges on toilets in Chicago, the first American city to enact a ban

There is such a thing as The American Restroom Association

In Australia we here about several centenary anniversaries of developments in public toilets at railway stations

Road Test of the Genesis GV80 coupe

Large SUV

Coupe body is not to everyone’s taste

Contacts Details

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

Or our social pages

Facebook

Cars Transport Culture

Instagram

Cars Transport Culture

Or YouTube site

Cars Transport Culture

Search for Cars transport culture

Credits

And this has been overdrive

Thanks to

Paul Murrell

Mark Wesley

Bruce Potter

for their help with this program.

You can get more of our work including longer versions of the program on our website, through our podcasts, or more visual information on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. In all cases search for cars transport culture.

Overdrive is syndicated across Australia on the Community Radio Network

This program was first broadcast on 8 March 2024

I’m David Brown

Thanks for listening

G’Day and welcome to Overdrive, a program that ponders the philosophical and practical aspects of motoring and transport.

I’m David Brown

For more information go to our website, podcast, or social media – just search for Cars, Transport, Culture.

Once again, I am joined by the effervescent Paul Murrell from seniordriveraus.com

A few quick stories

Toyota Discontinues Granvia People Mover in Australia

• A vehicle where function was much more powerful than form: it looked ugly

Reverse parking – Automatic parking

• Some “research” about which areas in Australia searched the internet the most for how to reverse park

• Parking spaces are getting smaller as cars get bigger

• Do people use the automatic parking on cars

Good Design – the best and worse cup holders

• BMW once said they would never have cup holders – never say never

• What are some good and bad aspects of cup holders

• Research on what type of coffee (cappuccino, flat white etc) is least likely to spill.

Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi Motors terminate MOU

• A very short-term affair

Elon Musk Admits He Was Wrong

• You current Tesla will not be able to do autonomous driving with just a software update

The Cybertruck Appears to Be More Deadly Than the Infamous Ford Pinto, According to a New Analysis

• The Pinto had a reputation for catching fire

• It wasn’t just the Pinto that has become the whipping boy for a broader issue

• The stats on the Cybertruck are early days: but then again there is not much independent testing of their safety

Contacts Details

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

Or our social pages

Facebook

Cars Transport Culture

Instagram

Cars Transport Culture

Or YouTube site

Cars Transport Culture

Search for Cars transport culture

Credits

And this has been overdrive

Thanks to

• Paul Murrell

• Genesis Australia

• Bruce Potter

• Mark Wesley

for their help with this program.

You can get more of our work including longer versions of the program on our website, through our podcasts, or more visual information on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. In all cases search for cars transport culture.

Overdrive is syndicated across Australia on the Community Radio Network

This program was first broadcast on 22 December 2024

I’m DB

Thanks for listening

In the Program

• The real costs of car insurance – EV vs PHEV vs ICE

• Beware of new cars about to be delisted due to ADR (Australian Design Rules)

• Elon Musk Admits He Was Wrong

• Problems with the MG Hybrid

• We review the car ads that were played in the Superbowl

• Road Test of the Genesis G70 – is it the modern equivalent of an old Jag?

Contacts Details

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

Or our social pages

Facebook

Cars Transport Culture

Instagram

Cars Transport Culture

Or YouTube site

Cars Transport Culture

Search for Cars transport culture

Credits

And this has been overdrive

Thanks to

Paul Murrell

Genesis Australia

Mark Wesley

Bruce Potter

for their help with this program.

You can get more of our work including longer versions of the program on our website, through our podcasts, or more visual information on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. In all cases search for cars transport culture.

Overdrive is syndicated across Australia on the Community Radio Network

This program was first broadcast on 15 February 2025

I’m David Brown

Thanks for listening

G’Day and Welcome to Overdrive, a program that ponders the particulars of motoring and transport.

I’m David Brown

If you want to dive deeper into our thoughts, ideas, and occasional ramblings, you can find us on our website, podcast, or social media – just search for Cars, Transport, Culture.

Once again, I am joined by the ever-enthusiastic Paul Murrell from seniordriverauz.com

Subjects

This week we

Interview Genevieve who is a senior teacher in English and literature and who accompanied her revhead husband to a veteran vintage and classic motor show

With two cars to test this week we have something old; something new; something borrowed; something blue

We took the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to Bathurst to watch the motor racing. Our mechanical engineer and road tester Fred Brain reflects on this long trip in a (performance) electric vehicle.

But we'll start with our trip to Melbourne for the Motor and Masterpieces Show

Contacts Details

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

Or our social pages

Facebook

Cars Transport Culture

Instagram

Cars Transport Culture

Or YouTube site

Cars Transport Culture

Search for Cars transport culture

Credits

Thanks to

Paul Murrell

Genevieve

Fred Brain

Hyundai Australia

Jeep Australia

Bruce Potter

Mark Wesley

for their help with this program.

Overdrive is syndicated across Australia on the Community Radio Network

This program was first broadcast on 30 November 2024

I’m David Brown

Thanks for listening