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Dr. Sonja Forward is a psychologist and research leader at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI). Since 1992, she has worked as a transport psychologist, focusing on traffic safety and sustainable transport. Her research spans various areas, with a primary emphasis on psychological factors that influence road user behaviour and strategies to change undesirable behaviours through education and campaigns. She employs both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Dr. Forward has led numerous projects at both national and international levels. She has authored a range of publications and serves as a co-editor for an international journal. In addition, she has played an active role in organizing conferences and participating in various scientific committees.

Sonja has a well-established professional network, both within Sweden and internationally, and is frequently invited to speak at conferences and events.

Doctoral thesis from Uppsala University:
Driving Violations: Investigating Forms of Irrational Rationality (DiVA)

Ongoing Projects (2025)

 

  • An Evaluation of Police Emergency Driver Training
    (Swedish Police Authority)
  • Afrosafe
    (EU)
  • CyWalk
    (Institute of Transport Economics, TOI)
  • Impact Relationships: Lighting for Pedestrians and Cyclists
    (Swedish Transport Administration)
  • Increased Safety at Roadworks through Guiding Dynamic Lighting (VägLED)
    (Swedish Transport Administration)
  • Trust
    Traffic safety culture – a systematic transition towards shared responsibility for safe and sustainable mobility in the EU
    (EU)


Conferences

Forward, S. (2025). Fatalism as a predictor of road user behaviour? A Comparison of African and European Countries. Paper presented at the 2 nd AfroSAFE Academy Conference, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, August 14 – 15.

Forward, S. (2025). Human factors influencing motorcyclists' risk-taking in traffic and the potential impact of being at fault for a crash. Paper presented at the 2 nd AfroSAFE Academy Conference University of Education, Winneba, August 14 – 15.

Forward, S. (2025). Cyclists’ involvement in accidents and injury outcomes. Paper presented at Trafiksäkerhetskonferens, Trafikverket Västra regionen.

Forward, S. (2025). Cyclists’ rule violations: Intentional or unintentional? Paper presented at Trafiksäkerhetskonferens, Trafikverket Västra regionen.

Scientific committiees

Humanist International Conference

Assignments

FOT – Chair
Humanist - President
Transport Safety Research, CO Editor

International lectures

(Selected)

Forward, S. (2025). Transportation psychology and road user behaviour. Lecture at Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia, April 8.

Forward, S. (2025). Safe road users. Lecture at University of Zambia, School of Engineering, Lusaka, Zambia, April 8.

Forward, S. (2025). Transportation psychology and road user behaviour. Lecture at School of Public Health, Lusaka, Zambia, April 17.

Forward, S. (2025). Factors influencing modal choice and how to understand the process of change. Lecture at School of Public Health, Lusaka, Zambia, April 17.

Forward, S. (2025). Promoting safe behaviour through education, campaigns and enforcement. ICTCT Traffic safety course, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, August 12 – 13.

 

Organisation

Reserach Department of Society, Environment and Transport

Unit: Mobility, Actors and Planning