The objective of this project is to improve the safety performance of roadsides by investigating the effectiveness of: * substituting roadside hazards with more forgiving options, such as frangible poles; * safety barrier selection and placement including retrofitting of safety barriers for improved motorcycle safety; and * protecting against impacts with roadside hazards through clear zone selection. The project will provide input into future revisions of road and roadside design guidelines. The Stage 3 interim report presents the project findings achieved during the 2010-11 financial year. Stage 3 aimed to build on findings and recommendations of the previous two stages by undertaking more detailed investigations of the three areas. In addition, Stage 3 sought to review road agency practices/processes for balancing environmental impacts of roadside safety management. An investigation of crash severity indices for common roadside hazards in different speed environments was undertaken, including a preliminary investigation of frangible and rigid poles. A review of in-service performance of rigid, semi-rigid and flexible barriers was carried out leading to improved information on barrier selection and placement. A review of literature on median barrier performance was undertaken. A review of end treatments and transitions, as well as point hazard barriers/attenuators was continued. A review of motorcyclist barrier solutions was undertaken. A review of heavy vehicle barriers was also undertaken, as well as an analysis of in-service performance of rigid, semi-rigid and flexible barriers in heavy vehicle crashes. A review of guidance for clear zone selection on freeways was commenced. The report also documents the input of Austroads stakeholders into the research directions and methods for Stage 3. (Author/publisher)
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