Authorities are turning to proactive programs in an attempt to prevent otherwise safe locations from becoming blackspots. In this respect, road safety mass action programs and safety audits are now being employed. This paper describes recent programs of both types undertaken in Queensland. The department has over 40 pedestrian crossings on its roads in the Brisbane metropolitan area, most of which were in need of safety improvements to bring them into line with current requirements. Many of these improvements were minor in nature but with significant potential safety consequences. The paper details the methods developed and the results obtained. Because of safety deficiencies of an existing urban arterial road, the Department decided to undertake a major urban road improvement project. The author was engaged as an independent consultant to conduct safety audits of the preliminary design and of the detailed design. The paper describes the various stages undertaken in the program, the safety deficiencies found and the way this affected the design that was finally adopted. Construction costs were not increased as a result of the audit recommendations but major safety improvements were incorporated by changes to the proposed cross section, to a major intersection layout and to the alignment of the carriageway. (A)
Abstract