This report presents an updated statistical profile of the characteristics of heavy vehicle crashes in Victoria to provide a basis for estimating benefit cost ratios (BCRs) for underrun protection. Significant limitations exist in the availability , scope and timeliness of truck crash data, particularly for rigid trucks. Comparisons between truck crashes in Victoria and nationally showed that the number of fatal crashes appears to have increased Australia-wide and in Victoria since 1997. Fatality rates for articulated and rigid trucks (both in terms of registered vehicles and in terms of distance travelled) are lower in Victoria than Australia-wide. Australia-wide and in Victoria, fatality rates are higher for articulated than rigid trucks. Otherwise, the characteristics of fatal truck crashes in Victoria and the rest of Australia are generally similar. For all of the underrun protection measures included, the BCRs were higher for articulated trucks than rigid trucks. (Author/publisher)
Abstract