The appraisal of suitable routes for the operation of road trains in isolated areas includes a quantification of the traffic interactions. This paper describes a study of the overtaking and passing opinions and behaviour of motorists as they interact with road trains on the Great Northern Highway between Wyndham and Fitzroy Crossing. Relationships for estimating the likely frequency with which overtakings and passings occur are also discussed. These relationships were used to predict the likely interactions from the recorded traffic flows on the Great Northern Highway. Finally, the opinions of the motoring public were canvassed using driver interviews. From the data given in the paper, it was concluded that overtakings the paper, it was concluded that overtakings and to a lesser extent passings were difficult but these manoeuvres were relatively infrequent given the recorded traffic volumes on these roads. The most important conclusion from the public opinion survey is that although a majority of respondents believed that roads should be upgraded, a sizeable percentage (33.3 per cent) felt that improved driver education would be of value in improving the safety on these roads (A).
Abstract