This paper discusses the paradigm shift in road-safety and crashworthiness thinking that must now be applied to our road system. Examples are presented to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of safety subsystem within the road system. The author argues that a robust understanding of the accident process, the injury process and structural crashworthiness must be acquired in order to reduce severity of these crashes. Some economic evaluations of road safety enhancement through retrofit programs on state highways in New Zealand demonstrate an acceptable approach. The author further argues the funding for mass actions of seal widening and providing 9 meters of recoverable clear zone on existing state highways than a project traditionally tied to a physical location may enhance road safety. This paper is based on a review of the benefits and costs of retrofit programs considered for Transit’s safety certification program. This was part of an overall economic evaluation of the 2010 Road Safety Strategy. The views and comments expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily be construed as being those of Transit New Zealand. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214058.
Abstract