PhD examines driving behaviour of autistic individuals to develop and evaluate an innovative driving instructor training program in Qatar
In his PhD, Wondwesen Girma Mamo investigated the driving behaviour of autistic individuals in Qatar and developed a training booklet for driving instructors. Autism develops early and can limit independence. Many autistic individuals depend on family for transportation. Learning to drive can increase their independence and quality of life, but autism-related challenges often delay or hinder their chances of obtaining a driver’s license.
In Qatar, despite ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for autistic individuals, driving programs for autistic individuals are lacking, leaving instructors unprepared for their needs. This research addressed the gap by (1) analyzing autistic individuals’ driving behaviors with simulators, biosensors, and eye trackers; (2) developing an evidence-based training booklet for instructors; and (3) evaluating its effectiveness. The booklet was validated through assessment, training, and practice. Initially, instructors had limited autism knowledge, but training improved their understanding, enabling tailored lessons. A small-scale pilot study showed that autistic learners, taught by trained instructors, reported better attitudes, confidence, reduced anxiety, and higher road test pass rates compared to those taught by untrained instructors.
This PhD contributes to understanding autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder with social and behavioural characteristics, and the driving process in Qatar. It recommends implementing a specialized training program for driving instructors to better support autistic drivers. This would help them obtain driver’s licenses with less stress, promoting independence and improving their quality of life, while fostering a more inclusive society.
The booklet, tailored for vehicles with full driver control, may require updates to accommodate for automated vehicles, which are set to become key components in future transportation systems. Additionally, while the booklet was tested in Qatar, further validation across diverse regions is necessary to ensure its global applicability.
Want to know more about the PhD research of Wondwesen Girma Mamo?
On Friday, January 24, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Mr. Wondwesen Girma Mamo will defend his PhD thesis at Hasselt University. His defence is open to the public and will take place in in the ceremony room of the Refugie House, Hasselt. It is also possible to attend his defence online.
Who is Wondwesen Girma Mamo?
Mr. Wondwesen Girma Mamo is 39 years old. He was born in Merhabete, Ethiopia and currently lives in Doha, Qatar. He is married and passionate about reading and staying informed about current global affairs. He loves to explore for new ways
Wondwesen Girma Mamo earned a BA in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and Social Work from Jimma University (Ethiopië) in 2008. After a year of academic service in Ethiopia, he received a government scholarship to pursue a MA in Social Psychology at Addis Ababa University, graduating in 2011. Following further academic service, he was awarded a Norwegian government scholarship to study at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), where he completed a MPhil in Childhood Studies in 2015.
In 2017, Wondwesen obtained a VLIR-UOS scholarship to pursue an MSc in Transportation Sciences with a specialization in Road Safety at UHasselt. He graduated with distinction in 2019, receiving the AXA Best Research Award for his thesis. In March 2021, he began a PhD at the Transportation Research Institute (IMOB) of UHasselt, relocating to Qatar for a project with the Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center (QTTSC) at Qatar University. His expertise focuses on human factors and traffic safety, using tools like driving simulation, eye tracking, biosensors, and self-report methods to study autistic and non-autistic populations.