The implementation of an accident balck spot program was first introduced in Victoria in 1979. The program's objective was to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes at locations experiencing a poor accident record by applying cost effective accident countermeasures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate mid-block `Black Spots' treatments, focusing on the resultant changes in casualty crash frequencies and the economic worth of these treatments following their implementation. The major findings of the study were that the treatment of high accident black spot mid-blocks (1980-1989), provided highly significant reductions in casualty crashes of 30.5% (compared to 33.4% for intersections), while also returning high economic benefits, net present worth of approximately $19.8 million (1992), with a benefit cost ratio of 7.59 (7.13 for intersections). Other key findings are also discussed and presented. These include: the effect of roadside hazard treatments, targetted pedestrians treatments and off path/head on treatments.
Samenvatting