The management of the road network to provide safe road transport is a key performance indicator for all road authorities. Its importance to authorities is amplified by the recent High Court decision that removed the non-feasance rule. This decision further emphasises the importance for road authorities of monitoring the state of their road network to identify network deficiencies and prioritise the treatment of these deficiencies in a manner which will result in optimum crash risk reduction. This report comprises an investigation into crash rates on differing road segments and intersection stereotypes, a brief analysis of the current status of data management systems within Australasia, an investigation into the relationship between the road and its properties and crash risk for vulnerable road users, and an investigation into the relationship between crash risk and the lateral offset of roadside hazards. The report concludes with 18 recommendations for further action and further analysis covering areas such as greater use of GIS, better understanding of vulnerable road user safety and clear zone policies for roadside hazards. (Author/publisher)
Abstract