This paper describes a study undertaken for VicRoads to quantify the frequency, nature and spatial distribution of injury-related crashes involving median encroachments on Victoria's divided roads. The study involved an analysis of Victoria's road injury problem resulting from all vehicles, including motorcycles, leaving the roadway, either as a primary or subsequent event, and encroaching into the median. An overview is presented of the crash problem, including the spatial distribution of crashes. Median safety along specific high-speed routes was assessed, including the safety and cost impacts. The paper concludes with recommendations for addressing median encroachment problems on existing high-speed roads. It also highlights the importance of installing median barriers on all new, high-speed divided roads to avoid serious trauma involving median encroachments in the future. Strengthening Victoria's road infrastructure design practices in this way can be expected to cost-effectively address a source of serious trauma on Victoria's roads. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E208431.
Samenvatting