Identifying optimal greyhound race track design for canine safety and welfare

Project Member(s): Eager, D.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Greyhound Racing NSW

Start year: 2016

Summary: Refer to attached proposal. Aim and Scope The aim of this project is to reduce and ultimately prevent incidents and injuries during greyhound training and racing by establishing an optimal model for track design and surface. The scope of this research project is for UTS to: 1. review and collate relevant knowledge of incidents and injuries during greyhound training and racing; 2. define the research question(s) in consultation with Greyhound Racing NSW; 3. to investigate and characterise existing greyhound race track design and surfacing; 4. undertake measurements on the forces experienced by greyhounds on the race track; 5. develop recommendations to improve track design and surface properties; and 6. provide reports detailing the project work, outcomes and recommendations. The project will be delivered using consultancy-based research methodology with a dedicated project team comprising 1.5 FTE over a one-year period, for a total cost of $325,000 (ex GST). Deliverables The results will be presented in the form of a UTS client report. The report will include a review of existing greyhound race track designs. It will include discussion and recommendations on the reduction of hazards and increase safety specifically related to track design including: optimal track shape and layout, turn radii, transitions, banking and cross-fall, surface grades and camber, starting box position and angle, track surface and preparation. It will also include discussion of track preparation and maintenance. If appropriate this report would include a pre-race standardised test to normalise track conditions within GRNSW and GA. A draft report will be provided for review and comment by GRNSW before the final version is prepared.

Publications:

Hayati, H, Eager, D & Oberst, S 1970, 'Recurrence Plot Qualification Analysis of the Greyhound Rotary Gallop Gait', Springer International Publishing, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy (online), pp. 331-341.
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Eager, D 1970, 'Safe and fair racing - Successful interventions within the greyhound industry', Greyhound Clubs Australasia National Symposium, Greyhound Clubs Australasia National Symposium, Perth, Australia.

Eager, D 1970, 'Track safety and welfare: Reflections on interventions and lessons learned', Greyhound Racing New Zealand 2019 Conference and Awards, Greyhound Racing New Zealand 2019 Conference and Awards, Wellington, New Zealand, pp. 1-10.

Hossain, MI, Eager, D & Walker, P 1970, 'Simulation of Racing Greyhound Kinematics', Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications, 9th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications, SCITEPRESS - Science and Technology Publications, Prague, Czech Republic, pp. 47-56.
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Eager, D & Hossain, MI 2019, 'Greyhound safety and welfare - A preliminary review of the Angle Park track'.

Hayati, H, Eager, D & Walker, P 2019, 'A SLIP Model to predict the dynamics of rapid tetrapod locomotion during hind-leg single support'.

Mahdavi, F, Hayati, H, Kennedy, P & Eager, D 2019, 'Effects of the number of starts on greyhound racing dynamics'.

Eager, D 1970, 'The findings of studies into the safety of greyhound tracks and actions taken to improve safety', Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission, Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission, Sydney.

Hayati, H, Eager, D, Brown, T & Jusufi, A 1970, 'STRIDE LENGTH AS A SPEED INDICATOR IN FAST QUADRUPEDS', International Society of Biomechanics, International Society of Biomechanics, Brisbane, Australia.

Hayati, H, Eager, D, Jusufi, A & Brown, T 1970, 'A NOVEL APPROACH TO ANALYZING RAPID TETRAPOD LOCOMOTION USING INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNITS', International Society of Biomechanics, International Society of Biomechanics, Brisbane, Australia.

Hayati, H, Eager, D, Jusufi, A & Brown, T 1970, 'A Study of Rapid Tetrapod Running and Turning Dynamics Utilizing Inertial Measurement Units in Greyhound Sprinting', Volume 3: 19th International Conference on Advanced Vehicle Technologies; 14th International Conference on Design Education; 10th Frontiers in Biomedical Devices, ASME 2017 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, pp. 1-5.
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Eager, D, Pendrill, A-M & Reistad, N 2016, 'Beyond velocity and acceleration: jerk, snap and higher derivatives', European Journal of Physics, vol. 37, no. 6, pp. 065008-065008.
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Eager, D, Hayati, H & Chapman, C 1970, 'Impulse force as an additional safety criterion for improving the injury prevention performance of impact attenuation surfaces in children's playgrounds', ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE), International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, AMER SOC MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, Phoenix, Arizona, US.
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FOR Codes: Biomechanical Engineering, Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) not elsewhere classified, Migrant health

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.